180 OPEN AIR GRAI>E CULTURE. 



the earth does not seein to be warm enough to induce 

 the formation of roots, before June, it has occurred to 

 us that very early and strong plants might be pro- 

 duced by inserting the pot (Fig. 46) in a slight hot- 

 bed. A few barrow loads of manure would answer 

 every purpose ; and by producing roots thus early, 

 strong specimen plants might be procured more 

 easily than by any other method. 



It may be well here to state that wood of any age 

 from the oldest gnarled stems to the succulent growth 

 of the current year will root if properly treated. 

 We have always found, however, that the best and 

 healthiest roots always spring from the junction of 

 the old wood with the current year's growth. 



It is recommended upon good authority (with 

 ^which we in general coincide) to separate the plants 

 tfrom the old vine at least by the end of September, 

 mnless previously removed. In the case of some 

 ^varieties, however (Diana, e. g.) this will not always 

 ^answer, as roots are produced with such difficulty that 

 'two years are often required to make good plants. 



CUTTINGS. "Where large quantities of young plants 

 of the common varieties are required, this is one of 

 the cheapest and easiest methods of procuring them. 

 Where wood is plenty, each cutting may consist of 

 several buds or joints, as in Fig. 47. In ordinary cases, 



