17^ OF VINES. 



weakly : at the same time remember to rub off 

 the lower bud with your finger and thumb, as 

 hereafter directed. 



If vines are to be propagated from cuttings, 

 they should be chosen from the slioots that are 

 best ripened, and have the shortest joints ; always 

 having one or two joints of the last year's wood, 

 cutting it perfectly smooth and a little rounding 

 at the lower end, and as near to a joint of the old 

 wood as possible. The upper end should also be 

 cut smooth and sloping towards the wall ; but if 

 they are planted in beds or borders, let the cut 

 always face towards the North. When cuttings 

 are planted against piers or walls, let it be at about 

 a foot distant from each other, according to the 

 vacant space, and so deep as to have the second 

 eye level with the ground ; remembering always 

 to rub off the lower eye. By so doing, if no acci- 

 dent happens to the top bud, there will be a shoot 

 produced from each eye, with a little one under, 

 which should always be rubbed off as soon as it 

 begins to swell ; for, if suffered to grow to any 

 considerable size, you will be in danger of injuring 

 the large one in rubbing the small one off. Re- 

 member also to pick off all the runners and side- 

 shoots, as before directed, leaving only two shoots, 

 which should be trained at their full length. 

 About January or February they may be pruned, 

 leaving one or two eyes on each according to the 

 strength of the shoot, which should be managed 

 as shall be more fully explained hereafter. 



