CHAPTER III 



PROPAGATION 



The grape commends itself to commercial and amateur 

 growers alike by its ease of propagation. The vines of all 

 species may be propagated from seed, and all but one of the 

 several cultivated species may be grown readily from cuttings 

 or layers. All yield to grafting of one kind or another. Seeds 

 are planted only to produce new varieties. At one time stocks 

 were grown from seed, but this practice has fallen into dis- 

 repute because of the great variations in the seedlings. ^ arie- 

 ties on their own roots and stocks are for most part propagated 

 from cuttings. In the production of stocks, the viticulturist 

 sets the orchardist a good example, for there can be no question 

 that all tree-fruits suffer from being grown on seedling stocks. 

 The grape is a vigorous, self-assertive plant and once it is started, 

 whether from seeds, cuttings or layers, seldom fails to grow. 



Seedlings 



Growing seedling grapes is the simplest of operations. The 

 seeds are taken from the grapes at harvest time, after which 

 they must pass through a resting period of a few months. At 

 once or in a month or two, the seeds should be stratified in moist 

 sand and stored in a cold place until spring, when they may be 

 sown in flats or in the open ground ; or seed may be sown in a 

 well-prepared piece of garden land in the autumn. AMien 

 planted in the open, autumn or spring, the seeds are put in at 

 the depth of an inch, an inch or two apart and in rows conven- 

 ient for cultivation. Subsequent care consists of cultivation 



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