76 ON THE PROPAGATION OF VINES. 



is indispensable, therefore, that the soil round each 

 cutting should be constantly kept moist, in order that 

 the latter may absorb sufficient nourishment to supply 

 the bud with food, until, by the emission of roots, it has 

 established a communication with the soil, and is there- 

 by enabled to feed itself. As soon as the cuttings have 

 protruded shoots about three inches long, and their 

 leaves have a healthy appearance, watering may cease 

 for a time; but throughout the summer, when the weath- 

 er is dry, the young plants should be assisted in their 

 frowth by the moderate application of liquid manure, 

 oap-suds are the best for this purpose, but dung-water 

 will do very well, provided it be not loo powerful. The 

 surface of the soil round the cuttings should never be 

 allowed to cake or get hard, but should be kept open, 

 and in a fresh and finely-pulverised state, by being, as 

 often as necessary, forked lightly up. As the shoots 

 advance in growth, they must be constantly kept staked, 

 or nailed to the wall ; and their tendrils and lateral 

 shoots managed throughout the summer in the same 

 manner as those of the layers. At the fall of the leaf, 

 cut every plant down to the two lowermost buds. 



probably, push through the socket of the decayed one about the 

 middle of the summer, or, as soon as the bottom bud becomes suf- 

 ficiently warmed by the sun to emit roots, and thereby form a 

 communication with the soil. 



