PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS. , 71 



l STt CHOICE OF CUTTINGS ; CARE TO BE TAKEN IN 

 PRESERVATION AND TRANSIT. 



(A.) Selection of Cuttings.- The canes should only be cut 

 -when they are well lignified'. This precaution should be 

 more specially observed when we have to deal with vines 

 lignifying late in winter. We should also discard all 

 cuttings from plants attacked by any of the different crypto- 

 gamic diseases, such as anthracnosis, mildew, <fcc. They are 

 generally not well developed and are liable to carry disease 

 into a new vineyard. 



Experience has proved that the mean part of canes of 

 medium development with rather close nodes offers the best 

 chances of strike, and produces the most fructiferous plants, 

 becoming rapidly fertile. The large canes do not root as 

 freely, and grow wood rather than fruit, while those too 

 slender are liable to dry before even throwing roots. They 

 often do not lignify sufficiently, and generally give weak 

 plants. 



When we propagate direct producers we should always 

 choose canes which have borne flowers, which are not 

 subject to non-setting, and which have given abundant and 

 fine fruit.* 



These characters, peculiar to each cane, get well fixed by 

 selection of this kind, and a considerable increase in the 

 production is thus obtained. On the contrary, when we 

 propagate graft-bearers our only object should be to obtain 

 vigorous plants, and we need not take into consideration the 

 .above indications. 



(B.) Preservation of Cuttings. The canes cut just before 

 planting offer the greatest chances of success. It is well 

 known that cuttings which have travelled a long distance, 

 such as those sent from America, are under very unfavor- 

 able conditions when compared with those gathered in the 

 vineyard where they are to be planted, 

 i Packing. However, as it is often necessary to send 

 cuttings abroad or to use cuttings which have travelled, we 

 think it useful to give a few indications with regard 

 io packing, and the care to be given to them when they 

 arrive. 



* These indications must be more particularly followed when multiplying Jacquez, as the 

 variations of this t-epage, which are not very fertile, actually tend to predominate on 

 account^of the indiscriminate use 6f its cuttings. 



