REARING PLANTS FOR VINEYARDS. . 243 



When rooted plants are not obtainable for the purpose, 

 there are two other methods of obtaining vineyards, viz: from 

 scions and from layers. In Provence, cuttings or scions are 

 seldom used, but preference is given to layers, because they 

 are much less subject to perish, have more strength to resist 

 the extremes of cold and heat and unfavorable weather, and 

 also because they grow much faster, and consequently yield 

 fruit at an earlier period. Nevertheless cuttings may be plant- 

 ed in place of layers in light and sandy soils, but stiff soils 

 absolutely require rooted vines for the purpose. This mode 

 of raising the vine was long known to the ancients, and by far 

 the greatest number of authors who have treated on agricul- 

 ture, have supported the precepts of Columella. These, as I 

 have already stated, are generally followed in Provence, and 

 Duhamel asserts that they may be adopted universally, without 

 fear of error. 



Some authors however prefer scions to large rooted plants, 

 and these again differ on the point of preference between 

 scions composed wholly of new wood, and those which have a 

 joint or more of the two years' old wood. It is also a ques- 

 tion whether scions had better be planted at once in the situa- 

 tions they are to occupy, or whether it is best to plant them the 

 first season in a nursery, whence they can be transplanted the 

 next year. In planting the scions, they should be put a foot 

 or more in depth, and French writers recommend that in the 

 operation the lower end should be curved, which, by causing 

 a greater accumulation of sap, as it ascends more slowly 

 when they are thus placed, disposes them to form roots more 

 speedily. When rooted plants are used, this precaution is 

 unnecessary ; and these, it has already been mentioned, it is 

 deemed most advantageous to plant in autumn. 



In the formation of vineyards, Duhamel deprecates the cus- 

 tom of mingling a great variety of grapes in one plantation, 

 and attributes to this cause the inferiority of the wines in some 

 of the most favoured regions of France ; and states that it 

 should not be forgotten that every grape has a distinguishing 

 principle peculiar to itself, and that as some kinds will enter 



