70 NUTRITIVE PLANTS. 



decussate, lanceolate, serrate; peduncles, lateral, aggregate, one- 

 flowered, very fragrant. 



[Pantologia. 



SECTION XII. 



Vine, 



Vitis. Linn. 



Of this genus of plants we know twelve species, natives of the 



East or of America, with the exception of the common vine which 



is found in all temperate countries. The following are cultivated. 



1. V. vinifera. Common vine. 



2. V. Indica. Indian vine. 



3. V. laciniosa. Parsley-leaved vine. 



4. V. arborea. Pepper vine. 



The first is of by far the most consequence: and it is character- 

 ised by having lobed, sinuate, naked leaves. It has an abundance 

 of varieties, which we have neither space to detail, nor can perceive 

 any utility in attempting to do so. They are alike propagated from 

 layers or cuttings. The former is the method usually practised, but 

 the latter seems much the better. In order to propagate vines by 

 cuttings, such shoots should be chosen as are strong and well- 

 ripened, of the last year's growth ; and these should he cut from 

 the old vine, just below the place where they were produced, tak- 

 ing a knot of the two years wood to each, which should be pruned 

 smooth. The upper part of the shoot should then be cut off, so as 

 to leave the cutting about sixteen inches long. These cuttings are to 

 be placed with their lower part in the ground, in a dry place, laying 

 some litter about their roots to prevent them from drying. Here 

 they should remain till the beginning of April, which is the time to 

 plant them. They are then to be taken up and wiped clean, and 

 if very dry, they should stand with their lower parts in water six or 

 eight hours. Then, having prepared the beds for them, they are 

 to be set at about six feet distance from each other, making their 

 heads slant a little towards the wall. The cutting is to be so buried 

 in the ground, that only the uppermost bud be upon a level with 

 the surface ; the earth is then to be well closed about the plant, 

 and a little mould heaped up over the eye of the bud, to keep it 



