AND WINE MAKING. 



19 



CHAPTER III. 



PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS IN THE OPEN AIR. 



The easiest and most simple mode of propagating the 

 vine is by cuttings planted in the open ground; it 

 can be successfully followed with 

 the majority of the Lahrusca and 

 cordifolia varieties, and a few of 

 those from the mstivalis, although 

 the latter will not take root 

 readily, and had better be propa- 

 gated by layering and grafting. 

 The most general method is the 

 following : In fall, when pruning 

 the vines, choose the best ripened 

 wood of medium size, which is 

 better than either the very large 

 or very small, and cut it into 

 lengths of from 9 to 12 inches, 

 cutting close below the lower 

 bud, and about an inch above the 

 upper, as in figure 1. 



Figure 2 shows a cutting with 

 part of the old wood attached ; 

 cuttings of this kind will generally 

 root more readily than the other. 

 These cuttings will mostly average 

 three to four buds each ; tie them 

 in convenient bundles of 100 to 

 250 each, taking care to make 

 their lower ends even, and keep 

 them either in a cool, moist cellar, 

 or bury them out-doors in well 

 drained ground, with the upper ends downwards, cover- 

 ing up well with finely pulverized soil. The making of 



Fig. 1. Fig. 3. 



CUTTINGS— ALL KEW AND 

 PART OLD WOOD. 



