50 THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FRUITS. 



about a loot in length, including two eyes, one near each end ; if 

 t'ie wood is short jointed, more eyes may be used, but in no case 

 should a cutting be used with less than two. When cut. they 

 should be tied in bunches of fifty, with the butts all one way ; and 

 should be protected from the weather until time for planting. The 

 safest plan to do this, is to bury in the ground in a well-drained 

 soil, below the reach of frost. Or they may be packed in very 

 slightly moistened sawdust or sand, in'boxe-. in a dry cellar. 



In the spring, when the weather becomes sufficiently settled, they 

 may be taken up and planted in good garden soil, previously well- 

 prepared. In planting, make a trench with the plow, or spade, ten 

 inches deep ; place the cuttings in the trench at a slight angle, and 

 from eight to twelve inches apart, close against the side, and with 

 the top bud just even with the surface. Tlien fill in a few inches of 

 earth at the bottom, and press tightly with the foot, continuing the 

 process with less pressure to the top. Level and smooth, and the 

 work is done. 



In a favorable season and with free-growing sorts, nineteen-twen- 

 tieths of them will grow, and with proper tillage will become 

 good plants. The only cultivation necessary will be to keep the 

 weeds down with the hoe, and the ground mellow and moist. If 

 not intended for sale, or transplanting the next season, they may 

 remain another year. Otherwise they should be taken up in the 

 fall, au'l stored in cellar durin^ winter, packed in earth or sand. 



In transplanting, the tops should be cut back to two buds, and 

 the roots shortened in to fifteen or twenty inches. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 



Much has been said and written about preparation of the soil for 

 grapes that is cilculaied to mislead the planter. Some have urged 

 the entire trenching of the ground to a depth of three to five feet, 

 with heavy manuring; others require the digging of deep holes, 

 four by four feet, and filling in with manure and other enriching 

 material ; while a third and most reasonable class would only sub- 

 soil and drain, in addition to good depth of culture. In all soils 

 suited tc the growth of a good crop of corn or potatoes, grapes wHl 

 flourish, iin-:! the plow, harrow, and sub-soiler are the tools neces- 

 sary for its preparation. 



If new ground is used, the srumps and root.s should be carefully 



