314 ON THE PROPAGATION OF VINES. 



in the ground, in a warm and sheltered situation, where they 

 can be protected with a little litter from the severity of frost 

 during winter. The best time for planting them is about the 

 25th of March in this latitude, earlier or later if more south 

 or north : if intended to plant the cutting where the plant is 

 to remain, which is the most preferable method, prepare them 

 in the following manner : 



By cutting them into lengths of tree-buds each, and letting 

 the uppermost bud have an inch of blank wood remaining 

 to protect it, the extremity of which must be cut in a slant- 

 ing manner, and the slanting side opposite to the buds, to 

 throw off the moisture : the end that is to be inserted in the 

 ground cut transversely just under the bud, and the cutting 

 will be complete : the cuttings being thus prepared, plant 

 them forthwith ; if intended to remain, place two in each 

 space, inserting them in the ground so as the second eye may 

 be about half an inch under the soil, which must be pressed 

 close, when it will, most frequently, be found that the eye 

 thus placed will grow first and strongest, when the upper 

 eye can be displaced; if both the cuttings grow cut off the 

 weakest. During May, June, and July, care mus^, be taken 

 to keep the cuttings constantly moist; soap-suds or drainings 

 of the dung-hill can be used for the purpose once a week, 

 but not oftener, using rain or river water for general water- 

 ings. If the soil should sink down, and leave the buds 

 higher than above-mentioned, more must be added to keep 

 them as directed. To prevent the ground from becoming 

 hard by repeated waterings, and also to retain a regular 

 moisture about the cutting, cover the soil with shells, litter, 

 or any such substitute, which will greatly promote the vege- 

 tating powers of the scion. As soon as they have made 

 shoots six inches long, water may be more sparingly applied, 

 and the shoots must be carefully tied to some support, and 

 their tendrils and lateral shoots should be cut off, the latter 

 to within one eye of the main stem : about the first of No- 

 vember, cut every plant down to withiu two eyes of the 

 cutting. But if the plants arc intended to be removed, 

 they should be planted in such a situation as to be shaded 

 from the mid-day sun ; from four to six hours a day of sun 

 i quite sufficient. A spot sheltered from severe winds is also 

 most desirable When transplanted, be careful of their small 



