322 ON THE PROPAGATION OF VINES. 



into lengths of about eighteen inches each, leaving at the 

 ends not less than two inches of wood to protect the eye, 

 place these temporary cuttings about three-fourths of their 

 length in the ground, in a warm and sheltered situation, 

 where they can be protected with a little litter from the 

 severity of frost during winter. The best time for planting 

 them is about the 25th of March in this latitude, earlier or 

 later if more south or north : if intended to plant the cut- 

 ting where the plant is to remain, which is the most pre- 

 ferable method, prepare them in the following manner : 



By cutting them into lengths of tree buds each, and letting 

 the uppermost bud have an inch of blank wood remaining 

 to protect it, the extremity of which must be cut in a slant- 

 ing manner, and the slanting side opposite to the buds, to 

 throw off the moisture: the end that is to be inserted in the 

 ground cut transversely just under the bud, and the cut- 

 ting will be complete ; the cuttings being thus prepared, 

 plant them forthwith ; if intended to remain, place two in 

 each space, inserting them in the ground so as the second 

 eye may be about half an inch under the soil, which must 

 be pressed close, when it will, most frequently, be found 

 that the eye thus placed will grow first and strongest, when 

 the upper eye can be displaced ; if both the cuttings grow, 

 cut off the weakest. During May, June, and July, care 

 must be taken to keep the cuttings constantly moist ; soap- 

 suds or drainings of the dung-hill can be used for the pur- 

 pose once a week, but not oftener, using rain or river water 

 for general waterings. If the soil should sink down and 

 leave the buds higher than above mentioned, more must be 

 added to keep them as directed. To prevent the ground 

 from becoming hard by repeated waterings, and also to 

 retain a regular moisture about the cutting, cover the soil 

 with shells, litter, or any such substitute, which will greatly 

 promote the vegetating powers of the scion. As soon as 

 they have made shoots six inches long, water may be more 

 sparingly applied, and the shoots must be carefully tied to 

 some support, and their tendrils and lateral shoots should 

 be cut off, the latter to within one eye of the main stem : 

 about the first of November cut every plant down to within 

 two eyes of the cutting. But if the plants are intended to 

 be removed, they should be planted in such a situation as 

 to be shaded from the mid-day sun ; from four to six hours 



