CULTIVATION OF THE VINE. 149 



which the branch has put forth the preceding 

 season must be carefully guarded from injury by 

 the operations of the spade, or other instruments, 

 with which the labour of the vineyard is effected, 

 and every facility affordea to the plant, by keep- 

 ing the soil around it free and mellow to push 

 additional roots. 



The branch that is intended to form the head- 

 ing of the plant, should be curved so as to form 

 an arch, such circular form being best adapted to 

 afford to the sap a free circulation. 



Not more than two points or branches, issu- 

 ing from the ground, should be allowed to the 

 new plant. The earth around the laid branch 

 should, from time to time, as it may require it, 

 be carefully dug and kept in a mellow state, in a 

 circumference of ten or twelve inches at least. 

 Should the branch you may wish to lay, be too 

 short to reach the spot where the unsuccessful 

 cutting had been planted, so as to range in a line 

 with the other vines, and preserve the uniform 

 appearance of the row, such short branch may 

 nevertheless be used as far as it will extend. 



The first season it will probably produce a vi- 

 gorous branch, which in its turn may again be 

 laid, so as to reach the desired point the follow- 

 ing season. As the branches thus laid, pro- 

 duce fruit in great quantity, even the first season, 

 it will for that reason be prudent to leave but 

 two buds to form the heading, as with more than 

 that number the plant will be exposed to the 

 danger of exhaustion from overbearing, and the 

 chief object of the operation, which is to supply 

 N 2 



