THE GRAPE. 35 



habit of roots of the vine, when grown in vineyards of clay 

 soils and yearly pruned ; but for the present I think I will 

 so consider it, and when I plant, avoid as I have gen- 

 erally heretofore, setting my roots too deep. Most writers 

 on the grape tell us that the roots must be planted deep, 

 at least they must have ten inches of soil over and above 

 the upper root of the plant ; and they tell us that if the 

 plants are too small for such purpose, then we must ex- 

 cavate a basin, set the plant, and as it grows, fill up around 

 the stem. In my soil, if the spring proved a rainy one, 

 were I to plant in that way I should have my labor for my 

 pains ; for all the plants would rot before they could 

 possibly grow sufficiently to allow the earth to be drawn 

 to a level. 



The following figure shows this mode of planting as I 

 understand it : 



A straight line drawn across from the ends of the 

 dotted line would show the level of the ground; the dotted 

 line the excavation, with the plant having two eyes, and 

 set in just deep enough to cover the lower eye or bud 

 with soil. The roots are shortened as here shown, to 

 about eighteen inches in length, and spread out regularly, 

 setting the base of the main stem on a little mound or 

 rise not a sharp cone, but a broad mound. 



I have practised this mode as an experiment, and with 



