20 THE GRAPE CULTURIST. 



plant. For the manner of making these, see chapter on 

 propagating by layers and cuttings. 



CHAPTER III. 



PROPAGATION BY SINGLE BUDS. 



The mode of propagation of the grape from single 

 buds, or eyes, is particularly valuable, when it is desired 

 to increase rare and desirable varieties. It is supposed 

 to have been first suggested by the Rev. Mr. Mitchell, of 

 England, in 1777, and has been practiced sufficiently to 

 establish its true merits some of which are : 1st. A 

 greater number of plants can be produced from a given 

 quantity of wood than by any other mode. 2d. Vines 

 so propagated contain just enough of the parent vine to 

 insure the perpetuation of a healthy plant of its kind, 

 but not enough to transmit disease to it by its decay, as 

 sometimes occurs when a large amount of the old wood 

 is used. 3d. As in this mode of propagation so small an 

 amount of wood is used that it admits of a large number 

 of cuttings being started in a small space, and as the 

 buds are nearly always forced into growth by artificial 

 heat, we may commence much earlier in the season than 

 when propagating in the open air, thereby giving a 

 much longer time for increasing, prolonging, and ripen- 

 ing their growth. This is secured, even if they are 

 planted out in the open ground, so soon as the plants 

 become well rooted and the weather sufficiently warm. 

 4th. But the greatest benefit arising from this mode of 

 propagating is, that varieties that are very difficult to 

 increase by other methods, can be multiplied with the 

 greatest facility by this. In fact, no variety or species 

 has yet been discovered that can not be grown readily 

 with artificial heat from single bud cuttings. 



