CHAPTER II. 



PROPAGATION OF THE GRAPE VINE. 



'HE Vine is a plant of most simple and easy propagation, roots 

 being very freely and readily produced from every portion of 

 the stem, if only it be placed under favourable conditions. 

 Let the natural or proper roots of a Vine become disorganised, 

 and immediately the whole stem, if in a humid atmosphere, will 

 become clothed with roots, which hang from it like a long beard. 

 These are generally called air roots, or adventitious roots, but would, 

 if allowed, fix themselves in the soil and become ordinary roots. 



Thus nature gives us the first lesson in the art of propagating the 

 Vine. We are by this means, at least, shown that roots are very 

 readily produced from the old or ripened wood. But never under any 

 circumstances do we see roots being produced from the young or 

 growing wood; and although by great skill and care a few plants 

 might be so propagated, the number would be very limited. 



Various methods of propagation by means of the ripened wood are, 

 or may be adopted, namely, by Layers, by Cuttings, and by Eyes ; 

 also by Budding, Inarching, and Grafting. 



1. Layers. This is the most primitive method of all, and might, 

 indeed, be . termed the natural method. It is a rough and ready 

 mode of increase, so far, at least, as regards the Vine, and is only 

 resorted to by those who have but slender means at their command. 

 To layer, we have simply to take a branch or shoot of the fully 

 ripened wood, and place it so that the part at which it is wished to 

 have the roots emitted may rest on the soil, and fasten it firmly into 

 this position. It is not necessary to cut the stem in any way, as 

 Toots will be emitted very freely without this if the soil be kept moist. 

 When it is found that roots have been produced, the layered portion 

 may be partly or wholly severed from the parent plant. The Vine 

 stems may, of course, be layered either into pots or into the soil of 

 the borders as may be required. Pots with soil in them may also be 

 suspended for the more convenient placing of the shoots for layering. 

 A not uncommon practice is to lead the shoots through the bottom of 

 the pot, which is then filled with soil, into which the Vine readily 

 takes root, and when rooted is dissevered. Very strong Vines are 

 thus obtained by means of layering. Again, damp moss or any other 

 similar material may be tied round the stem, and roots will be readily 

 produced from the parts thus covered, so that plants may in this 

 manner be obtained. 



