78 OPEN AIR GRAPE CULTURE. 



incipient decay is apt to supervene unless the vitality 

 of the plant is sufficient to withstand it. If this 

 should occur when the plant is dormant, there is no 

 influence at work to resist the evil. But if such 

 injuries should be inflicted in spring, when vegeta- 

 tion is just commencing, they are quickly and readily 

 repaired. 



"With care vines may be transplanted even when 

 their leaves are well developed ; but under such cir- 

 cumstances the vine, from its great evaporative 

 powers, makes a heavy draft upon the roots and is 

 rather impatient of removal after vegetation has made 

 some progress. We have had the best success, however, 

 when the plant was set out so late in the spring that 

 the buds were starting, but just before they were fully 

 burst. About this time the soil is getting gradually 

 warmer, and although it does not reach a sufficiently 

 high temperature to induce the formation of roots in 

 cuttings before June or July, still it is warm enough 

 to allow of the healthy action of the roots in a grow- 

 ing plant. 



In the above cases the vines were set out immedi- 

 ately after being dug up. Where it is necessary to 

 transport them any distance, it would undoubtedly 

 be better to take them up earlier, before the sap 

 begins to move. They need not be planted for some 

 time, but may be merely heeled in, as it is called, 



