PLANTING THE VINE. 119 



when the vine gets well started into growth. When the 

 buds begin to push into growth, select the strongest and 

 rub the others off ; a bud near the ground is preferable 

 to one that is a foot above, and this is one reason why 

 the vines should be cut off quite short when planted, as 

 it makes the lower buds more sure to push. After the 

 one bud or shoot has been selected, the old stem above 

 it may be cut off to within two inches of the young 

 shoot. As the young cane grows, keep it tied to the 

 stake, but do not tie it so tightly as to interfere with its 

 expansion as it grows. Keep the laterals stopped, ac- 

 cording to the directions already given. Stir the soil 

 about the plants, the oftener the better, and keep down 

 all weeds. 



Bass is an excellent material for tying the vines, as 

 it is not liable to injure the tender shoots ; besides, it 

 usually costs less than common twine. 



When any particular vine, or a number of them, do 

 not grow as rapidly as desired, they should receive some 

 extra stimulant, either liquid mnaure from the barnyard, 

 or a solution of some of the concentrated manures in 

 water, giving enough to completely saturate the soil to 

 their roots. When it is not convenient to apply stimu- 

 lants in a liquid form, ;i barrow load of compost may be 

 spread upon the surface about the vine. We should 

 endeavor to produce a uniform growth, so that all the 

 vines in each row, at least, shall be as nearly of the same 

 size as possible. 



The vines, at the end of the first season, will usually 

 be large enough to be pruned for training, but many of 

 the more feeble growing varieties will require another 

 year, and they should be cut back in the fall or winter 

 to two or three buds, only one of which should be allowed 

 ,o grow, as in the first year. 



