y8 Twining Stems. 



Layered plants are also often objectionable for want of roots proportionate 

 to the tops. From their mode of growth, they have not been hitherto self- 

 sustaining, but have drawn for subsistence largely from the mother-plant ; 

 and their large, strong canes are not, therefore, always an indication of what 

 they will perform when started upon an independent and separate existence. 



Cuttings are oftenest faulty by reason of insufficient and imperfectly- 

 ripened roots and wood. This arises from the fact, that the roots are usually 

 not formed till late in the season ; and, the top-growth being also necessarily 

 late, both are overtaken by winter before they have fully matured. 



In selecting vines for planting, I would say, Always get the best you are 

 able to procure, and, as nearly as possible, of uniform size and quality. 

 This is especially desirable in vineyards, as all after-culture is much sim- 

 plified when the vines are of equal or similar growth, and each requiring 

 nearly the same treatment. And the difference in cost between different 

 grades of plants is usually more than compensated in favor of the best by 

 their stronger growth and earlier bearing ; the value of one year's fruit and 

 wood being often much more than the original cost of the vines. Good 

 two-year-old vines, or the first selection of those one year old, if strong 

 and well grown, are, in my judgment, preferable to any others. 



In future articles, I propose to give my views of the proper treatment of 

 vines after planting, so as to produce the best results, and also to avoid 

 such failures as arise from erroneous and imperfect culture. 



Delaware, O. Gcorge W. Campbell. 



Twining Stems. — Some, as those of the honeysuckle and black bryony, 

 follow the apparent motion of the sun, twisting round their support from 

 left to right. Others, as the great bindweed {Calystcgia sepiutn), twist the 

 contrary way ; namely, from right to left. They never change the direction 

 of their twisting ; that is, the honeysuckle and others never twist from right 

 to left, and the great bindweed never twists from left to right. If grown in 

 the dark, twining plants lose the power of twining ; but directly they are 

 restored to the light, and renew a healthy growth, they resume their natural 

 direction in twining. 



