PROPAGATION OF THE VINE. 187 



of the cutting in relation to tlie soil. This method 

 of propagating requires skill and great care and is 

 seldom employed except by professional men. 



Grafting is seldom employed in the case of those 

 common varieties which are easily raised from cut- 

 tings or eyes. Diana and Delaware are, however, 

 sometimes raised by this method, and to the amateur 

 it is one of the most important processes, as by this 

 means a new and rare variety can be fruited some 

 years before a young plant would come into bearing. 

 Loudon gives the following directions for performing 

 the operation : 



*' Cleft grafting the vine is shown in Fig. 54, in 

 which a is a. bud on the scion, and 5, on the stock, 



Fig. 54. 



both in the most favorable position for success. The 

 graft is tied and clayed in the usual manner, except- 

 ing that only a small hole is left in the clay opposite 



