PLANTING GRAPE VINES 



299 



speedy planting, such as the planting bar, are widely condemned; an 

 excavation of the hole and refilling with fine surface earth, just as 

 advised in Chapter XI, for planting orchard trees, is commended as the 

 safest practice. Much, however, depends upon the soil. In loose, free 

 soil such a use of a bar or "sheep's-foot" as will be presently described 

 may be satisfactory, while it would be impracticable on firmer soils, 

 both because of the difficulty of insertion and because the packed condi- 



a 



V 



Dibbles for planting vine cuttings. 



tion caused by the forcing in would not favor root extension, and 

 not desirable on shallow soils because the contact of the better surface 

 soil with the bottom of the cutting will stimulate the growth of the 

 cutting, and is, therefore, very desirable. 



The post-hole auger and a device for taking out soil as a "trier" 

 takes out a sample of cheese or butter, have also been used to some 

 extent, but not widely, in making holes for cuttings. ' 



