TIME OF PURCHASING VINES, AND METHOD OF KEEPING 



THROUGH WINTER. 



Grape vines, for various considerations, are most advantageously purchased and 

 transplanted in the fall, and as early as the ripening of the wood and consequent ripen- 

 ing of the roots will permit. To keep them through the winter, without fear of damage, 

 lay the vines in by the heels in sand or mellow, porous soil so deep that there will be 

 no alternation of freezing and thawing, and where no water may lodge about the roots. 

 To secure from M^ater, an inclined surface or gravelly subsoil affords convenient safety 

 if sand is not at hand. If none of these conditions are present, a little mound must be 

 raised for the purpose. Frost affects sand that is compacted only by its own weight 

 to but little depth ; it should be laid on lightly, and the surface be left rough as it falls 

 from the shovel ; and if the vines are pruned of proper length for planting, the top 

 should be covered to the depth of a few inches, but the buds should be uncovered early 

 in spring. 



Vines should always be planted in very fertile soil, and such as is perfectli/ suited to 

 their wants is rarely found without special preparation by deepening and enrichment 



Vines that are in course of transportation in very severe weather, and frozen when 

 received, should be very gradually thawed, without exposure to open air, in a temper- 

 ature that is but little above freezing. The sand before spoken of affords a safe and 

 convenient medium in which to thaw them ; and, if proper care is observed, hardy 

 vines will receive no damage from any severity of freezing, provided they have been 

 well packed in dry moss. 



TIME OF PLANTING. 



Vines planted in the fall, if the operation is properly performed, are in no respect 

 less safe or less advantageously situated than those planted in spring, while on the 

 other hand, the advantages ftf fall planting are often important. 



These advantages, to a great extent, may be had by having the vines on hand laid 

 in for the winter, as directed on page 47. Early fall purchasers have generally a 

 great advantage in the quality of the plants, and the time thus afforded for transplant- 

 ing and packing in the best manner, as well as for transportation and planting, is 

 very favorable, both to producer and purchaser. 



AGE AND CHOICE OF PLANTS. 



Well-grown layers of vigorous growth that are abundantly furnished with thorough 

 ly ripened roots, as well as wood, are best, and for the garden especially when early 

 bearino- is desirable. They will give fine fruit the first season, and also good wood 

 for propagation which, in some of the new varieties, is worth more than the price oi 

 a vine. 



Plants well grown in large pots from single eyes rank next to layers, and may be 

 expected to give specimens of fruit the second season, but not a considerable crop un- 

 til the third. Plants from single eyes may in very large pots gain sufficient size 

 and maturity to bear the first season, and bo but little inferior to best layers. The 

 prevalent opinion that older vines will bear earlier is erroneous, and the fact is well as- 

 certained that they are not so healthy or productive. All vines that have made a good 

 growth the first season should have their roots shortened before growing a second, to 

 induce them to send out plenty of fibres near the centre or stock, and the aptitude 

 for doing it is in a great measure lost if deferred to the second season. Vines which 

 do not rnake a good growth the first season for general purposes, may be rejected as 

 worthless ; but of what may be called good growth there are different degrees, the 

 lowest beginning at that which gives some strong, ripe wood, with a considerable 

 amount of well-ripened root, and a healthy centre where root joins wood. But the 

 difference between a tolerably good plant, and one of surpassing quality, can not well 

 be represented by money to those who wish the early and full enjoyment of the vine, 

 or for its long continuance in vigorous health and exemption from casualties. 



