126 TREATISE ON THE 



which we design to take the cuttings, a prefer- 

 ence to be given, in the selection, to those 

 branches which have afforded the best fruit and 

 blossoms. This may be easily known, when the 

 vine is charged with its product. I think also 

 the small yellow grape should be preferred,* as 

 well for the quantity of its product as for the 

 quality of its vine. The cuttings should be 

 taken from the plant before the circulation of the 

 sap. On the same, or at furthest, the succeeding 

 day, on which they shall be cut, they should be 

 neatly trimmed and tied up in small bundles, 

 placed in a cellar, or other damp situation, and 

 sprinkled with water twice a week. Four days 

 previously to the planting, I recommend that 

 they should .be plunged into clear water, sub- 

 merged at the depth of four inches ; and imme- 

 diately before they are placed in the ground, the 

 two ends should be cut obliquely with great care, 

 so as to expose a smooth surface, an operation 

 called by the Swiss vine dresser, " refreshing the 

 cuttings." By this means the sound pith is ex- 

 posed, the surface cut away having become black, 

 an indication of decay. 



Some cultivators injudiciously suffer the cut- 

 tings to remain too long a time in water, a habit 

 extremely pernicious, and productive of much 

 mischief. 



When the pith becomes saturated with moisture, 

 the vegetation is too florid, which prematurely 

 exhausts the plant, and causes the vine, should 



* The American cultivator will recollect, that this advice is 

 given to the Swiss vine dresser. The grape here recommend- 

 ed, being that which best endures the Swiss climate. TEANS. 



