104 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



attached to the parent "vine until the foliage begins ripening. They will fruit freely 

 the following season. 



The grape-vine roots so freely that a well-ripened cane layered into a pot filled 

 with good compost will push sufficient roots to bear detachment from the parent 

 by the time the fruit is ripe. C shows a cane so layered in fruit. This, severed 

 at the bar when the grapes are ripe, forms a unique centre to a table at dinner- 

 parties, and can be grown by any one having a greenhouse. As may be seen in the 

 figure, the growths above the bunches are stopped for supporting the fruit, but 

 when a strong cane is the chief object the bunches are suppressed and the growth 

 allowed to extend. Another method of raising a vine from a layer is represented 

 in q. It should be left until the leaves commence falling, and then be detached at 

 the bar. 



Tongueing consists in cutting the branch half-way through below a bud and 

 making an incision upwards, keeping it open by some of the soil, a small stone, or 

 small piece of wood. Einging is taking off a ring of both the outer and inner layers 

 of bark quite round the branch not less than half an inch wide, leaving nothing 

 but the wood. Notching is making a transverse cut half-way through the branch 

 just below a joint, and with a slanting cut upward taking out a piece of wood. These 

 forms of layering are represented in D (Fig. 18) r, tongueing ; s, ringing ; t, notching. 

 The layers in each case must be secured with a peg inserted near the place of mani- 

 pulation, covered with good soil three to four inches deep, and kept moist to facilitate 

 rooting. 



Layering apple, pear, plum, and quince stems for stocks is performed handily 

 by having stock plants kept very low or cut down level with the soil for encour- 

 aging as many good shoots as possible. These cut-down trees are termed stools ; one 

 such (E) shows the notching process usually adopted. The layers are generally left 

 with one or, at the most, two buds above the ground, though sometimes they are left 

 entire. 



Twisting the branch at the point of insertion in the soil or piercing it with a 

 sharp instrument encourages the emission of roots from the ruptured and wounded 

 parts, but is fatal to a healthy root system and stem. 



Insertion of the growing point in the case of blackberry, currant, and gooseberry 

 is practised successfully in fresh-turned soil in summer, the firm points of the shoots 

 inserted and secured forming a quantity of roots by autumn, and they can then be 



