Grapes 



195 



Propagation. The raising of Vines for planting is a simple matter. 

 Good, strong, well-ripened laterals are selected from Vines which have 

 shown good bunches, and have ripened their fruit well in previous years. 

 From these, short pieces are cut out with a sharp knife, each piece being 

 furnished with an eye, or the bud which will make the next season's 

 growth. The cuts are made slanting and at about f in. above and below 

 the eye, the knife being started on the side of the lateral beneath the 

 eye, and carried through in a slanting direction away from the eye, so 



Fig. 388. Grapes packed for Sea Transit 



that when finished the eye is on the longest side of the short piece of 

 lateral so cut off. 



The propagation is carried out in the spring, and the laterals saved for 

 the purpose are heeled in under a wall, or in some sheltered position, until 

 they are wanted for preparing the eyes. 



For striking the eyes, boxes are filled with nice light soil and a layer of 

 sharp sand is sprinkled over the surface; the eyes are pressed into the soil, 

 lower end downwards, and well watered in, and when this operation is 

 finished the little bud should be just showing above the surface of the 

 sand. The boxes are stood in a Cucumber house, or propagating pit, where 

 they will soon show signs of growth. Watering must be carefully done, 

 but the eyes must never be allowed to suffer for want of it. As soon as 

 roots are formed (fig. 389) pot into small 60's, and as soon as these pots 



