116 FRUIT-GARDENING. 



the ploughing is completed, to be harrowed thoroughly. Then 

 in the direction the rows are intended to be planted, parallel 

 furrows are run across the field, at the distance of eight feet 

 from each other ; these are afterwards crossed at right angles, 

 five feet asunder. In the opening, at the intersection of these 

 furrows, cuttings from nine to twelve inches long are planted, 

 and arranged with a view to the vines being, when grown, at 

 distances of four by seven feet from each other. He frequently 

 plants two cuttings in a place, some of which are used to fill up 

 with, in case of failures. He says that in 1829 he planted in 

 nursery-beds from two to three thousand cuttings as late as the 

 middle of April to the middle of May, with better success than 

 at any previous time. In this case the slips should be kept in 

 a cool, damp place, where vegetation may be held in check. 

 To insure their freshness, sprinkle them occasionally with water. 

 Previous to planting, cut them a proper length, and place 

 them with their lower ends three or four inches in water, 

 in a tub above the ground, where they may soak three or four 

 days. At this season the temperature will be likely to be such 

 as to spur vegetation at once into healthy and vigorous action. 

 The autumn, or early in the spring, is preferable for rooted 

 plants. In the autumn of the first year, after the frost has 

 killed the unripened part of the young shoots, they should be 

 pruned down to the mature, firm wood, and then with a hoe 

 hilled over with the surrounding soil, which will completely pro- 

 tect them through the winter. If left without protection the 

 first winter, many of them will perish." 



TRAINING ON WIRE TRELLISES. 



Mr. Bonsall says his mode of training, as far as he is aware 

 of it, is entirely peculiar to himself, which he describes as fol- 

 lows : " I take chestnut posts, the thickness of large fence-rails, 

 seven feet in length ; these I plant along the rows, at distances 

 of ten feet from each other, and at such a depth as to leave 

 five feet above the surface of the earth. Then taking three 



