132 THE GRAPE. 



dampness. For the same reason, if a hot-bed be used, 

 great care should be taken that there is no accumulation 

 of rank steam, or condensed moisture. In five or six 

 weeks they will have elongated an inch or two above the 

 soil, when they may be potted off singly into half-pint 

 pots, and still retained in the same or a similar situation. 

 When they have grown some five or six inches more, these 

 pots will be filled with roots, and the plants may be trans- 

 ferred into those of quart size, which will be sufficient for 

 the season, if only stocky plants for future planting be 

 required, but when the intention is to make strong plants 

 for fruiting next year in pots, it will be requisite to re- 

 move from time to time, according as they progress, into 

 gallons and two gallons. The shoots will also need to be 

 tied to stakes as they continue to grow. If healthy stock 

 is wanted it will be necessary to place the plants, during 

 the summer, in the same growing temperature as is recom- 

 mended for fruiting vines, and by care and encouragement 

 these young canes may be extended to twelve or fifteen 

 feet long ; it is however desirable that the tops should be 

 nipped out at the height of about six feet, which will pre- 

 vent crowding, and allow the light to act more freely on 

 the lower leaves, which in their turn mature the buds on 

 each axil. As stated above, this strong growth is not neces- 

 sary, unless for pot culture ; for a small well-ripened vine, 

 with plenty of healthy roots, is quite as good for perma- 

 nent planting, and with after good management will make 

 headway equal to a stronger one. 



Cuttings. A cutting as generally understood is a length 

 of the last season's cane containing several buds, Fig. 23. 

 To propagate by this plan proceed as follows : So soon as 

 the ground is in good working order after the breaking up 

 of winter, dig, and break up well with the spade, a sufficient 

 plot for the quantity intended ; string a line across one 



