16 PROPAGATION OF THE GRAPE VINE: BOTTLE GRAFTING. 



Another very excellent and certain mode of grafting Vines is that 

 which is termed Bottle Grafting. It is thus described by Mr. Wright 

 in The Journal of Horticulture, xxiv., 77 (1873): "Select a stout, 

 short-jointed, well-matured lateral shoot for a scion, with bold buds. 

 Take a slice off the graft near the middle, say five inches long, leaving 

 four inches below it for inserting into a bottle, and three inches above 

 (with a bud) to grow and form the future Vine. Take a similar slice 

 off the stock, fit the two together, and bandage round with tape. 

 The slicing should be done quickly, cleanly, and fearlessly, not merely 

 removing the bark, but shaving pretty well into the wood. After 

 tying, no moss or clay or any other covering being required, suspend an 

 ordinary wine bottle fixed securely, with the end of the graft inside, and 

 keep this filled with rain-water, placing a little charcoal in the water 

 to keep it pure. When the grafts have grown six feet not before, 

 remove the bottles and the ligatures, and the operation is completed. 

 This mode of grafting is performed about the same time as the other 

 after the Vines have commenced to grow. If carefully executed, 

 few failures will occur, and if the Vines are strong, canes or rods, from 

 eighteen to twenty feet in length, will be produced the same season, 

 healthy Vines bearing a full crop of fruit at the same time." 



