PLANTATION. 127 



2ND. GROUPING THE C^PAGES. 



The system of grouping the different ce"pages in different 

 blocks is generally adopted, and may be considered as far 

 preferable to other systems in which varieties are mixed 

 together. By grouping the varieties more regularity is 

 obtained, as each vine has practically the same vigour and, 

 therefore, cannot live at the expense of another. The 

 maturation of fruit is also more uniform; finally, all the 

 plants have the same habit and can, therefore, be sub- 

 mitted to the same method of treatment. 



3RD. PLANTING. 



Planting is done in different ways according to whether 

 cuttings or rootlings are used. In the first case an iron 

 dibble made of round iron, 1 to 1 inches in diameter, is 

 used ; the dibble may be made of square , 

 iron f inch in section ; it is then called a 

 Birone. A wooden handle is fixed on top 

 in a perpendicular direction in the same 

 manner as those of carpenters' augers (Fig. 

 107). The dibble is sunk down in the 

 ground vertically, drawn out carefully so as 

 to leave an open hole into which the cutting 

 is inserted to the required depth. It is then 

 sunk into the soil again a few inches from 

 the cutting and the earth rammed tightly 

 against it so as to force it to touch the Fig. 107. 

 cutting everywhere. One should not be 

 able to pull the cutting out of the ground if the operation 

 has been well conducted. Two free eyes only are left out 

 of the ground, the rest of the cutting being pruned off. 



When the soil is very pebbly or very rough and lumpy 

 it is advisable to surround the cutting with sand or mellowed 

 soil before ramming. This prevents the contact of the 

 air and therefore desiccation, and places the first root 

 growth under very favorable conditions. 



When rootlings are to be planted an iron rod is sunk 

 into the ground in the places marked for planting. A 

 hole 1 foot square is then made on one side of the rod, 

 and when the latter is pulled out a line is marked on 

 one side of the hole in the place where the young rootling 

 is to be planted. 



Plants must be removed from the nursery with care, 

 preserving as many roots as possible, as these organs are 



