THE GRAPE. 



401 



cane of the two into a smooth, straight trench made for the 

 purpose, about five inches deep. The cane selected should 

 not be less than eight or ten feet long, but so much of the 

 end should be cut off as to leave only strong buds, the re- 

 maining part not being more than six or seven feet long. 

 With short-jointed varieties it should be less in length. It is 

 held in this position by pegs or stones. The object being to 

 obtain a strong shoot at each eye, the end should not be bent 

 up, which would draw the growth off in that direction. As 

 soon as the new shoots have grown a few inches, the prostrate 

 vines should be slightly covered with earth, which is to be 

 increased as the growth advances. A more perfect way is to 



Fl6. 545. Shoots springing from a layered stem. 



sprinkle a little compost along the cane and then fill the 

 trench a few inches with loose damp moss. This will pre- 

 serve a proper humidity and afford sufficient light to the start- 

 ing shoots. After they have become well hardened the moss 

 is removed and mellow soil substituted. The earth, if applied 

 too early, might induce rotting in the young stems. Fig. 545 

 represents the appearance of this process after the shoots have 

 attained full growth and rooted well at the bottom. Usually 

 about half a dozen plants are a sufficient number to raise from 

 one cane ; more will start, but they should be rubbed off to 

 give strength to the remainder. When a part outgrow the 

 others, they should be pinched back to equalize the growth. 

 This process is repeated for successive years ; but as it tends 

 to exhaust the main plant it is advisable to suspend it occa- 

 sionally for a year if the vigor becomes diminished. 



These new plants are well rooted before winter; and should 

 be taken up, separated, and packed away as already described. 

 Fig. 546 represents one of these new plants. 

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