Supporting the Vine. 159 



bundles, and immerse them entirely, for about a fort- 

 night, in this liquid ; then dry them in the shade, still 

 tightly fastened together in bundles, to prevent them 

 from warping. The solution must be renewed from 

 time to time, that it may retain its strength. It is not 

 necessary to bark the stakes. 



In the Department of Maine-et-Loire, where slate 

 quarries abound, this slate is cut in lengths of about 

 four feet and six inches, and two to two and one-half 

 inches in thickness, which are used as grape-stakes, and 

 last indefinitely. The weight of each is from ten to 

 twelve pounds. 



Generally, but one stake is put to each vine (Fig. 

 38). Sometimes, as in certain vineyards in the valley 

 of the Rhone, one single stake is made to serve for three 

 vines. The shoots of the two plants nearest the one 

 having the stake, are all fastened together to that stake, 

 by means of a slip of willow. The three plants have 

 then the appearance of a triangular pyramid. 



Elsewhere, in the marshy district of Bordelais, and 

 in the vineyards on the right bank of the Garonne, from 

 Bordeaux to Blaye, two or three stakes are allowed to 

 each stock (Fig. 31) ; the same in the Departments of 

 Allier, and Puy-de-D6me. But in the last named lo- 

 cality the stakes, made almost entirely of white wood, 

 and pretty pliable, are united together at the top by 

 means of a tie. 



On the rocky slopes of the Rhone, the stocks being 

 planted in small groups, on such small patches of soil 

 as will admit of cultivation, are trained on stakes about 

 ten feet high, and fastened together at the top (Fig. 36). 



The staking of newly planted vines takes place only 



