406 THE GRAPE. 



into a cleft in the lower end of the cutting. Waxed strings 

 bind the parts together, but they are left open below for the 

 emission of roots. Varieties which furnish long, smooth roots 

 are most convenient, of which the Concord is one of the best. 

 The grafts are placed in shallow boxes of a conven- 

 ient size, or about one by two feet, and three inches 

 deep, and bottom heat given as before described, 

 but less care is required in controlling the tempera- 

 ture. 



GRAFTING IN OPEN GROUND. Large vines and 

 vineyards of undesirable sorts are sometimes 

 changed to better by grafting. It is uncertain 

 if carelessly done, although the grafts, when they 

 do not fail to grow, push with great vigor, and fre- 

 quently extend twenty feet or more in a single 

 season. There are three different modes: one is 

 to graft early in spring down into the root; the 

 second is to defer the work until the buds swell 

 and bleeding ceases, preserving the grafts in a do 

 mant state in a cool place. The third, and gene. 

 Roo^Graft a ^ t ' ie most successful, is grafting in autu 



according to the mode described in Fuller's " Grape 

 Culturist." A cleft graft is made at or near the surface of 

 the earth, and the parts firmly bound together. An inverted 

 pot is then placed over it and banked with earth, except the 

 top, which is covered with six inches of straw, and the 

 whole then buried in earth. This is removed in spring. 

 Grafting in the open air appears to be so easily influenced 

 by so many external causes, as frequently to result in entire 

 failure, even in the most skilful hands. 



TRAINING. 



Young plants should be trained to a single strong shoot, like 

 that represented in Fig. 551, for which purpose a stake should 

 be used and the vine tied up as it advances. Spring plants 

 set out early will often reach a height of six or eight feet by 

 the end of the season. 



Cuttings of the first year's growth, as well as layers, are 

 sometimes fitted for finally transplanting to the vineyard, 



