TYING THE VINES 427 



pings of an oriental palm (RapMa Ruffia). Wool- 

 twine is also still largely used for tying, but it is 

 not so cheap and handy as raffia, and it usually 

 has to be cut when the trellis is stripped at the 

 winter pruning, while the raffia breaks with a 

 quick pull of the vine. Some complain that the 

 raffia is not strong enough to hold the vine during 

 the season, but it can easily be doubled. Osier 

 willows are much used for tying up the old canes 

 in the spring, and also for summer tying, espe- 

 cially in the nursery regions where the slender 

 trimmings of the cultivated osier willows are easily 

 procured. Wild willows are often used if they 

 can be obtained easily. These willows are tied 

 up in a small bundle, which is held upon the back 

 above the hips by a cord passed about the body. 

 The butts project under the right hand, if the 

 person is right-handed, and the strands are pulled 

 out as needed. The butt is first used, the tie be- 

 ing made with a twist and tuck, the strand is then 

 cut off with a knife, and the twig is employed in 

 like manner until it is used up. When wool- twine 

 is used, the ball is often held in front of the work- 

 man by a cord which is tied about it and then 

 passed about the waist. The ball is unwound from 

 the inside, and it will hold its shape until the end 

 becomes so short that it will easily drag upon the 

 ground. Some workmen carry the ball in a bag, 

 after the manner of carrying seed -corn. Raffia is 

 not so easily carried in the field as the wool -twine 



