GRAPE VINES PROPAGATION. 245 



and has for its object the emission of roots emanating as near as possible horizontally, 

 for spreading through the soil near the surface of the ground. 



The eyes may be inserted early in February, or a little sooner, in 3 -inch pots, 

 efficiently drained a quarter of their depth. A suitable rooting medium consists of one 

 half fibrous loam, a quarter of half-decayed leaf soil, and one-eighth each of fine 

 charcoal and crystal sand. Press the mixture down rather firmly to within \ inch of 

 the rim of the pot, then make a hole, introduce a little sand, press in the eye with sand 

 under, around and over it so that the bud will be just level with the surface of the soil. 

 The compost should be moist when used, and a light watering will settle the sand about 

 the eyes. Pots or pans prepared in a similar manner can be used, placing a number of eyes 

 in each, or the eyes may be inserted in cocoa-nut refuse mixed with a fourth of sand, 



u 



Fig. 74. RAISING VINES FBOM " EYES." 



References : U, part of a cane with a bud. V, eye prepared for insertion. W, eye inserted in a 3-inch pot. 

 X, growth from the eye or bud in turf. Y, cane from an eye inserted in a pan or bed, then potted off. Z, cane 

 transferred from a 3-inch to a 5-inch pot 



in a propagating bed over bottom heat. When young vines are raised from eyes, for 

 planting out the same spring as they are inserted, the eyes are pressed into turves about 

 6 inches square and 3 inches thick. The roots then are not coiled as in pots, and the 

 breakage of a few roots beyond the turf on the removal of the vine from the bed 

 increases the fibres and promotes sturdy growth short-jointed wood, with leathery 

 leaves after planting out. 



The pots, pans, or turves containing the eyes should be plunged in a bottom heat of 

 75 to 80, in a house with a temperature of 60 to 65 at night, 70 to 75 by day, with 

 an increase of 5 to 10 degrees from sun heat, taking care not to over- water or the young 

 growths may become " blind." When roots form and top growth is made to the extent 



