CHAPTER XI. 



THE GRAPE. 



PROPAGATION. The vine is propagated by seeds, layers 

 cuttings, and by grafting. 



Seeds are planted only for obtaining new varieties, by 

 cross-fertilization, as described in an early chapter of this 

 work. 



Layers furnish a very sure mode of obtaining large wcl'. 

 rooted plants the same autumn after the young shoots are 

 buried in the soil, which may be done a little before mid- 

 summer. 



Cuttings are less certain of success than layers, but are 

 usually more convenient, and admit of more rapid multipli 

 cation. They should be a foot long and planted sloping, 

 and should just reach up to the surface of the soil, which 

 should be rich, deep, and rather moist. They strike more 

 readily under a frame of glass. The modification of cuttings 

 denominated eyes has been already described. 



Grafting is sometimes useful for changing large vines of 

 worthless sorts to a better, and bearing fruit in less time 

 than a young vine on its own roots. To prevent bleeding, 

 the work must be done below the surface in the root ; or 

 after the leaves are expanded, the scions having been pre- 

 served in a cool cellar for this purpose. 



Soil. "The essence," says Downing, "of all that can 

 be said in grape culture respecting soil, is that it be dry and 

 light, deep and rich. 1 " A dry bottom is highly essential; 

 hence a bed of stones, shells and bones, eighteen inches 

 beneath the surface, has been very useful. The manure 

 must be in some degree adapted to the nature of the soil, 

 but generally, vegetable mould or muck, with a portion of 

 ashes intermixed, as already prescribed for fruit trees, is 

 one of the very best. 



Pruning and Traini?ig. The grape admits of a great 



