MARCH] THE VINEYARD. 255 



the Constantta, or Cape of Good Hope grape,* and with either of 

 these the claret grape, to heighten and enliven the color, when red 

 wine is intended to be made. 



But as this business is yet in its infancy here, and as the differ- 

 ence of soil and climate is well known to make a material change in 

 the produce of the same kind of grape, experiments must be made 

 on the various sorts, in order to ascertain which may best answer the 

 purpose.f 



I shall now proceed to the different methods of propagating the 

 vine, and then to its planting. 



PROPAGATION IN GENERAL. 



The vine admits of being propagated in various ways : first, by seeds ; 

 secondly, by layers; thirdly, by cuttings; and fourthly, by "eyes," 

 or buds. This tree can also be propagated by grafting, inoculation, 

 and inarching. 



Propagation by seed is undoubtedly the way to raise new kinds, 

 but is seldom practised, on account of the length of time and hazard 

 of obtaining better, or even as good kinds, as the original grapes 

 from whence the seeds were taken ; but this should never deter, for 

 superior kinds may be obtained, and a seedling vine, judiciously 

 managed, will produce fruit in about seven years, or perhaps sooner. 



PROPAGATION BY SEED. 



When you raise vines from seed, always be sure to do it from the 

 very best kinds. The grapes for seed should be permitted to remain 

 on the plant until they are perfectly ripe. As soon as the seed is 

 taken from the pulp, it should be laid in some airy, but shady place, 

 to dry, and then carefully preserved in sand till spring. If, however, 

 the seeds were immediately sown in pots, and preserved in a hot- 

 house, green-house, or under the protection of glasses, till spring, 

 they would then more freely vegetate. Or, sow the seed in February 

 or March, and plunge the pots into a temperate hot-bed ; when the 

 plants appear, they will require, from time to time, gentle sprinklings 

 of water, and protection from frost and cold. When so far advanced 

 as to have three or four joints each, they must be carefully staked 

 out, and planted each in a separate pot. 



The greatest care will be required in the performance of the above 

 operation, as it will be beneficial to preserve as much of the earth to 

 the roots as possible; then plunge the pots into a gentle hot- bed; 

 give the plants a little water and occasional shade from a strong sun 

 till they have taken root ; after which give them plenty of air occa- 

 sionally, so as to inure them to the open weather, and have them fit 



* This grape was imported from the Cape of Good Hope, some years ago, 

 "by Mr. LEGAUX, of Spring Mill, Pennsylvania, before mentioned, who for 

 several years past has made wine from it, of a most excellent quality, and 

 also from the Munier. 



\ The Catawba is at present the best wine grape of America. 



