YOUNG VINES FOR PLANTING. 21 



sodden and sour ; and it is well known, also, that soil 

 gets much more readily into this state when it is much 

 in excess of the requirements of the plants that grow in 

 it ; and it is frequently more convenient, where soil 

 and labour are scarce, to make the borders in this way, 

 than to have so much to do at once. 



YOUNG VINES FOR PLANTING. 



There are various opinions as to the best way of 

 preparing young vines for planting. I have used 

 plants from layers ; from eyes, two, three, and even 

 four years old ; from eyes, one year old ; and from 

 eyes struck the year they were planted; and have 

 found them all succeed, but would give a decided pre- 

 ference to the two latter ; and especially to good, 

 sound, well-ripened vines one year old from eyes, 

 either home-grown or procured from some respectable 

 nurseryman, who is careful about their names being 

 correct who does not grow them in bottom heat, and 

 as thick as they can stand, in dark houses, which is 

 sometimes done. They may be struck in bottom heat ; 

 but after they are shifted into the pot in which they 

 are to be sold, they should have no bottom heat exceed- 

 ing the atmospheric temperature of the house they are 

 grown in ; for I have invariably observed that the soft 

 forced roots vines make in bottom heat, such as they 

 receive when plunged in hot tan, die off during the 

 winter, and are of no service to the plants when planted 

 the following spring ; and though the canes, in conse- 

 quence of being forced on in this way, may look better 

 than those grown without bottom heat, they are not so 



