CHAPTER VIII. 



GRAFTING THE GRAPE. 



The propagation of the grape vine by grafting is 

 probably as old as its cultivation, and many of the modes 

 practiced at the present time are accurately described in 

 most of the ancient works on gardening and agriculture. 

 But with all the information which we have derived 

 from both ancient and modern authors, it still seems to 

 be generally considered a rather difficult, if not uncer- 

 tain method of propagation. On account of the peculiar 

 structure of the wood of the vine, a lasting union is sel- 

 dom obtained when grafted above ground, and is far 

 from being certain even when grafted below the surface 

 by the ordinary method. When we compare the benefits 

 to be derived from grafting the vine with grafting the 

 pear, apple, etc., it appears to be of little value, because 

 the vine may be readily grown from cuttings of almost 

 any portion of the wood, while the latter produce roots 

 from cuttings only sparingly, even with the greatest care 

 and under the most favorable circumstances, but they 

 may be propagated very easily by grafting and budding. 

 Thus it appears that nature has provided a way for the 

 rapid multiplication of every species and variety of 

 plants, but she has left it to man to discover the way 

 i'.nd means. There are circumstances constantly occur- 

 ring, under which it would be quite desirable to graft 

 the vine ; for instance, when we have a new and valuable 

 variety which we wish to multiply as rapidly as possible ; 

 to do this we must produce wood for the purpose, and it' 

 we can produce wood more rapidly by grafting than by 



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