ON THE PROPAGATION OF VINES. 318 



trouble and expense incurred in making a suitable compost. 

 However, the disadvantage of a poor soil may in part be com- 

 pensated for by planting the vines closer together. If, indeed, 

 vines could not be planted with any prospect of success, except 

 in borders purposely prepared, only a very small quantity of 

 grapes would be grown, compared with what this rich and 

 fertile country is capable of producing. 



Many instances occur in towns and cities, around dwellings 

 and other descriptions of brick and stone erections, which pre- 

 sent very favourable situations for the training of vines, but 

 which, nevertheless, are so situated as to admit of little or no 

 soil being placed at their roots. In such cases, if an opening 

 can be made, twenty inches deep, and as many wide, it will 

 De sufficient to admit of the roots of a young vine, which will 

 support it till its rambling roots have found their way under 

 the pavement, or along the walls to some more distant nourish 

 mentj if a wider space can be made, it will, of course, be 

 better : loosen the sides and bottom as much as possible, and 

 till up with compost, as previously directed, and therein plant 

 the vine. The surface covering, whether of brick or stone, 

 may be replaced after the soil has fully settled, leaving a hole 

 about six inches square to allow the stem of the plant to swell 

 in its future growth. The roots soon find their way under 

 tne paving or along the foundation walls, and, indeed, in every 

 direction, in search after food, and will extract nourishment 

 from sources apparently barren. The fact is, that the roots 

 of the vine possess an astonishing power of adapting them 

 selves to any situation in which they may be planted, pro- 

 vided it be a dry one. 



ON THE PROPAGATION OF VINES 



Vines are generally propagated in the open ground by 

 cuttings and layers. 



By cuttings. At the general prunings, provide cuttings of 

 the preceding summer's growth; choose such as are of a 

 medium size, well-ripened, and short-jointed, cut them into 

 lengths of about eighteen inches each, leaving at the ends 

 not less than two inches of wood to protect the eye j place 

 these temporary cuttings about three-fourths of their length 

 27 



