86 



Vineyard Culture. 



the vine-dressers of Anjou. It is as follows : in the 

 beginning of January choose the scions that are to be 

 grafted ; they ought to have a heel. Bury them in the 

 same way we have indicated for the cuttings, and pro- 

 ceed to graft as soon as the vine begins to bleed. The 

 stocks are then laid bare to the depth of twelve inches, 

 and about twelve inches in width ; cut them on a long 

 bevel, about six inches below the surface of the soil ; 

 then make a vertical slit about one third the length of 

 the upper part of this bevel. The slit may be kept open 



[Fie. ii.] 



with a small wooden wedge. [Fig. u.] The shoot to 

 be grafted is cut so as to have a length of about twelve 

 inches. Notch or slit the plant between two joints, to 

 about the same extent as the slit in the 

 bevel, and so as to cut one-fourth of its 

 diameter. Cut away the bark between 

 the two joints as long as the slit in the 

 stock, and then make a slanting cut 

 upward of about two inches in length. 

 Hook the graft on the stork by forc- 

 [Fic. 12.] ing the splinter, or tongue, into the slit 



