PLANTING THE VINE. 117 



face appear to be more sensitive than those which are 

 deeper, and they are the first to start in the spring, and 

 the first to be checked by cold in the autumn, or by long 

 drouths in summer. The depth to which roots should 

 be covered depends somewhat upon circumstances. In 

 light soils they should be covered deeper than upon 

 heavy, because the air has a more ready access to a 

 porous soil than it has in one that is tenacious ; and 

 while it is necessary that air should reach the roots, it is 

 not judicious to allow it to penetrate too freely, because 

 roots require a partially confined atmosphere, and not 

 one that has any apparent circulation. There is one 

 class of cultivators who advocate deep planting, and 

 they place the roots from twelve to twenty-four inches 

 deep ; another class follow the other extreme, and but 

 little more than cover the roots with earth, and then 

 depend upon mulching for the requisite protection ; and 

 although both of these extremists offer many plausible 

 arguments in support of their different theories, yet a 

 middle course, I am confident, is the safest and best. 



How to Plant. When a number of vines are to 

 be planted, it is best to dig the holes before the vines 

 are taken into the field, and when they are taken from 

 the place where they have been heeled-in, their roots 

 should be kept in a box or basket filled with damp moss, 

 or protected in some such manner from the air and sun. 

 The vines should also be pruned before they are taken 

 into the field. Prune the roots, as has already been 

 directed, and cut off the stem to about eighteen inches. 

 The holes to receive the vines should be dug in a circu- 

 lar form, and from six to ten inches deep upon the out- 

 side, and four to six inches in the center ; then set a 

 good strong stake in the center of the hole ; for unless 

 the stake is placed in position before the vine is planted, 

 there is great danger of injuring some of the roots of the 

 vine in driving it down by its side after it is in position. 



