66 ON THE PROPAGATION OF VINES. 



ing directions, if observed, will ensure success. For 

 each layer procure a pot of the size of No. 24, and 

 prepare some rich mould, which must be sifted very- 

 fine. Put a large piece of potsherd, or a good-sized 

 oyster shell, over the hole at the bottom; fill the pot 

 about two-thirds full with the mould, and sink it 

 three inches below the surface of the soil. Then 

 take the shoot, the four last buds of which will be 

 required to form the layer, and cut the foitrlh bud 

 cleanly and smoothly out, so that no shoot can after- 

 wards push from it. Bend the shoot carefully down 

 in such a manner, that the second and thh'd buds 

 shall be at least three inches below the surface of the 

 mould when filled in, and the Jlrsi bud even with it, 

 or racher, just peeping out of the mould. Secure the 

 shoot firmly in this position, so that its own force will 

 not raise it up, then fill the pot up with mould to 

 within half an inch of the top, which space must be 

 left for the purpose of holding liquid manure. If the 

 mould settle down afterwards, and leave a greater 

 space than this, more must be added to make good 

 the deficiency. Shoots may be thus laid down any 

 time from the fall of the leaf to the middle of March. 

 The latter period will be quite early enough, as no 

 roots wiU be made before the latter end of Jiuie, or 

 the beginning of July. After the first of April, the 

 mould in the pot must be constantly kepi inolst^ for 

 which purpose supply it as often as necessary with 

 soap-suds or the drainings of a dung-heap. The 

 layer must be separated from the parent vine some- 

 time between the twentieth of xAugust and the first 

 of September, and planted out immediately, with the 

 ball of earth entire, in the situation in which it is 

 intended to remain. Supply it plentifully with liquid 

 manure of the above-mentioned description, through- 

 out the remainder of the season till the fall of the 

 leaf It is not necessary to ring, twist, cut, or pierce 

 the layer, before bending it down in the pot : keeping 

 the mould constantly moist with liquid manin-e, will 

 excite it to root very freely williout any such opera- 



