PLANTING ROOTED VINES 3Q5 



and unless done carefully there is danger of failing to make the soil 

 close around the base of the stock, which is thus left surrounded 

 by an air space. Grafts left in this way are apt to become moldy 

 and fail to make good roots. The figure "c" is a planting dibble to 

 be used with hand and foot like a spade. All such contrivances are 

 only suited to light soils which crumble and settle easily. On 

 heavier soils, digging holes and placing the soil around the roots 

 or the base of the cutting by hand is indispensable. 



For planting in dry situations some careful planters run water 

 and fine earth into the hole made by the bar after inserting the 

 cutting; others run in fine sand dry and then pour on water. In 

 using water in this way one must take care that he uses sand or 

 sandy earth, and not clay, for a succeeding dry spell may bake it, 

 and the cutting will be worse off than if not puddled. 



Planting Rooted Vines. Planting rooted vines is governed by 

 the some rules commended for planting trees in Chapter XI, so far 

 as preparation of holes, care in placing and firming the soil around 

 the roots, etc., is concerned. In handling rooted vines there must 

 be greater care in packing and transportation to prevent the roots 

 from drying, and in carrying to the field it is generally advised that 

 the plants be kept in a pail or other receptacle with water. The 

 vine roots are very small and tender, and success will largely de- 

 pend upon good care of them. At planting all dead or injured 

 roots should be trimmed away, healthy roots shortened so that 

 they can be placed well in the hole, and the top reduced to a single 

 cane cut back to two eyes. 



Cultivation of Vineyard. General suggestions concerning the 

 cultivation of the vineyard have already been given in Chapter 

 XIII, in which methods employed in California, and which are 

 practically the same for all fruits, are described. 



