150 " TREATISE ON THE 



the place of an unsuccessful cutting, will of course 

 be defeated. 



Attention in the pruning should also be given 

 to keep down the vigorous shoots of the new 

 plant, so that it shall range uniformly with the 

 adjacent vines. 



Early in the succeeding spring, the buds of 

 the young vine should be rubbed off with the 

 thumb and finger, leaving but two or three to 

 form that year's heading, and these must be the 

 highest, or those next to the top of the branch. 



When the operation of laying is deferred until 

 too late in the season, the branch has not time to 

 take to the ground before vegetation, and attract 

 the salts of the soil, so important to the nourish- 

 ment of the former stock plant. I close this ar- 

 ticle by repeating the importance of great care 

 in laying the branch. Let it not be buried under 

 too deep a covering of earth, particularly where 

 the ground is level or damp. 



ARTICLE VII. 



Of the first Labour. 



ABOUT the latter end of March, the first labour 

 is usually given to the vineyard. Sometimes, 

 from the lateness of the season, it is deferred till 

 the commencement of the month of April. It 



