26 A TREATISE ON THE 



CHAPTER IV. 



CULTURE OF THE VINE IN POTS. 



IN selecting the eyes, take none but well-matured ones, and 

 those from the strongest and best ripened wood. Prepare 

 them by cutting immediately under the bud, in a slanting 

 direction, each way, as figured below, leaving three-fourths of 



an inch of wood before and behind the eye. If the vines 

 are required for early bearing the following season, the eyes 

 should be put in before the middle of January ; but if intended 

 to be planted in vine borders or against walls, a later period 

 in commencing will answer equally well. But in either case 

 they should be treated as follows : Prepare thirty-two or 

 twenty-four sized pots. Put in them plenty of crocks for 

 drainage, and over them pieces of light rough soil, up to 

 within two inches of the top of the pot, one inch of which 

 fill up with fine leaf and other mould, in equal proportions, 

 adding to the mixture a little silver or other sharp sand. 

 Place the eyes regularly on the surface, allowing a clear space 



