14 AMERICAN GRAPE GROWING 



cuttings may be continued during winter, although they 

 will root more readily if cut early, and there is also no 

 danger of frost injuring the buds. 



In spring, so soon as the ground is dry enough, the 

 cutting bed should be prepared. Choose for this a light, 

 rich soil, pulverized at least a foot deep ; if not light and 

 rich enough, it can be made so by well-decomposed loaf 

 mould. Make a cut along the whole length of the bed 

 with the spade, deep enough to receive the whole length 

 of the cuttings, and press these well down into it, so that 

 the upper buds are even with the surface of the earth ; 

 fill up with loose soil, and press it down firmly with the 

 foot along the line, so as to pack it well around the cut- 

 tings. The cuttings may be put close in the row, say 1 to 

 2 inches apart, and the rows 2 to 3 feet apart, so as to 

 allow of cultivation either by hand, plow, or cultivator. 

 After the bed is finished, mulch with spent tan, sawdust, 

 or leaf mould, so as to protect the young shoots from the 

 sun; maintain a moist and even temperature during sum- 

 mer, and keep the soil open and porous. 



Keep the soil of the cutting bed clean during the sum- 

 mer. The young vines will generally make a hard, firm 

 growth 1 to 4 feet in length the first summer ; they 

 will make their roots just where they ought to be, and 

 will be by far the best plants for general use, being pre- 

 ferable to vines raised either from single eyes or by 

 layers. In the fall they should be carefully taken up, and 

 heeled-in in well pulverized soil, deep enough to cover 

 the crowns, first assorting, so as to make them as even 

 in size as possible for planting. They are then ready for 

 setting in the vineyard, and a good strong one-year-old 

 vine is, beyond a doubt, the best for that purpose. 



