PROPAGATION OF THE VINE. 181 



however, a length of three buds is sufficient, and we 

 have grown very good plants from cuttings of only 

 one joint in length that is, having two buds. Indeed, 

 the latter make by far the nicest and cleanest plants, 

 and though not quite so strong at first as those from 

 a greater number of eyes, yet we question if in the 

 long run they would not prove quite their equals. 



Fig. 47. Fig. 43. 



Cuttings to be good should be of thrifty, well 

 ripened, close jointed wood long reedy canes and 

 spindling twigs being alike to be avoided. The best 

 cuttings are those which have the base of the shoot 

 attached, and this may be either as in Fig. 47, where 

 the cutting has been cut away close to the old wood ; 

 or it may be a mallet cutting, as it is called, where a 

 small section of the two-year-old wood is left, as in 

 Fig. 48. 



The proper time for procuring cuttings is at the 



