PROPAGATION OF THE VINE. 189 



previous in the same temperature as that in which 

 the vines to be operated upon are growing. When 

 such portions of the latter as are shortened for receiv- 

 ing the grafts have made a bit of shoot, graft as you 

 would other fruit-trees, taking care, however, to pre- 

 serve the shoot at the top in claying, and till the buds 

 on the scions have pushed, then shorten it back. 

 Inarching may be performed at any time after the 

 vines have started, so far as not to bleed." 



Speechly, however, names the middle of March as 

 the best time for grafting the vine in the open air ; 

 and his directions are so lucid that we offer no apo- 

 logy for quoting them : 



" In general, vines should be grafted about three 

 weeks before they begin to break into bud. 



" Upon small stocks, not more than one inch in 

 diameter, cleft grafting will be found the most pro- 

 per ; but upon larger stocks, whip grafting is to be 

 preferred. 



" In both methods, much care should be taken in 

 fitting the scion and stock together, and the operation 

 should be performed with great exactness. 



"When the stock and scion are well fitted 

 the graft should be fastened with the strands of bass 

 matting, and should then be covered with clay in the 

 usual way. 



" Yines do not harmonize with so much freedom as 



