94 On the CuItivatio7i of Gj^apes 



The idea prevalent with most individuals, that the largest 

 vines that can be found should be planted, in order to pro- 

 cure grapes as early as possible, is entirely erroneous ; 

 nothing can be farther from attaining the desired end. 

 The severe check given to vines taken from the open ground, 

 entirely precludes their making a vigorous growth until 

 they have again established themselves in their new place. 

 It is impossible to transplant vines three or four years old, 

 without cutting oil" a great many of the larger roots, and 

 with them most of the spongioles or young rootlets, and as 

 the bark becomes old and indurated, to replace these re- 

 quires such an etlbrt, that a year or two must elapse before 

 the vine puts forth thrifty branches. A vine intended for 

 the grapery, should be headed down nearly to the root 

 when planted out : to perform this operation on an old 

 vine, with a stem half an inch or more in diameter, is at- 

 tended with injury; but, if none should happily ensue, the 

 vine never presents the same clean, straight stem, as when 

 grown from a young and vigorous plant. 



Vines in pots, a year or two, have this advantage ; when 

 planted out, which may be almost at any season of the 

 year, even when in full leaf, they receive no check whate- 

 ver, but immediately proceed in their growth ; the roots, 

 which are coiled round the pot, are not injured in the least ; 

 not a fibre need be broken, if the work is done by a careful 

 and skilful hand, as the roots are slender and pliable, and 

 may be bent in any direction ; a stem is formed so straight 

 and clean, that it is difficult to detect the place where the 

 shoot was headed otf at the commencement of its growth. 

 It seems so contrary to our generally received notions of 

 vegetation, to give the preference to a vine one year old, to 

 that which is oifoiir ox five years' growth, that it is dif- 

 ficult to convince many cultivators of the fact ; yet so it is, 

 and a little reflection will carry with it a conviction of its 

 truth. It is from the simple cause just stated, viz., that the 

 yotmg vine receives no check ; and while the older one is 

 storing up new vigor, by the reproduction of fresh roots, 

 the 3''oung one, with its hundreds of greedy ducts, pushes 

 on, completes its annual growth, and is rewarding the cul- 

 tivator with a specimen of its fruit, ere its older ally has 

 fully recovered from its removal. 



We did not intend our remarks to extend so far as they 

 have already, when we commenced this article, and we 



