CHAPTER XXVI 



PROPAGATING AND PLANTING VINES 



The grape is propagated from seed or by layers, or by cuttings 

 of various lengths. Growing from seed was somewhat resorted to 

 in California to get stocks for resisting the phylloxera, but such 

 wide variation in resistance occurred in seedlings that propagation 

 by cuttings, of varieties demonstrated to be best in this regard, has 

 become exclusive. There is at present little disposition to grow 

 grape seedlings in the hope of securing better and hardier varieties, 

 as is so largely done in other parts of the country. The vast num- 

 bers of varieties of the European species, vinifera, which we have 

 drawn from, makes the effort for new seedlings of little object. 



Growing Vines from Seed. Seed is easily removed from the 

 grapes by crushing the berries and stirring the pulp rapidly in 

 water. From one pound of good, fresh seed one might get from 

 two to three thousand seedlings. Some advocate sowing grape seed 

 in; tjhe fall, just as it is taken from the fruit, but best results are 

 usually obtained by spring sowing, after danger from frost is over. 

 It is advisable to keep grape seed moist for some time before sow- 

 ing. Seed soaked one week in water and afterward allowed to lie 

 in a heap for three weeks germinates quickly, starting in ten days 

 or two weeks after being put in the ground. Professor Husmann 

 advised pouring hot water on the seed and allowing it to cool, the 

 seed remaining in the water for twelve hours, and after that it is 

 kept for a week in a sack, exposed to the sun, and covered at night, 

 the sack being moistened from time to time. 



The seed should be sown in the open ground, the soil having 

 been worked deeply and finely, as for a garden. Sow the seed about 

 an inch apart, in drills far enough from each other to admit the 

 use of the cultivator in the summer; cover not to exceed an inch 

 in depth, and after moderate pressing of the ground, cover the 

 whole bed with rotten straw, which should be gradually removed 

 as the sprouts appear above the ground. This mulch will not only 

 retain moisture, but will prevent the surface from being crusted 

 by heavy showers. Summer cultivation with cultivator and hoe 

 should be given. 



Growing Vines by Layering. This is another method of multi- 

 plying vines which is but little employed in California, because it is 

 so much easier to secure plants by cuttings, as the vinifera species 

 roots so readily. Layering consists in bending down and burying 

 one of the lower canes so as to facilitate top and root growth from 

 each of the buds. This is done early in the spring before growth 

 begins. To hold the cane in place, stakes are used, the trench being 

 left open untl the shoots grow out and then by covering the roots 

 are developed. The cane must rest in moist earth, and usually has 





