LAYERING OR PROVIGNAGE. 249 



might be lost, and the disappointment that often ensues, from 

 planting single scions. 



A difference of opinion exists about the treatment of cuttings 

 the first year, for while some urge with seeming propriety to 

 prune them to one shoot, others contend that by leaving all 

 that may appear, the stock acquires additional strength. 



Layering or Provignage. 



This is an. operation very generally pursued in vineyards, 

 and it is only those who cultivate the vine in hautins and on 

 palisades that do not practise it. In Burgundy especially, 

 and in other more northern vineyards, this is the^general cus- 

 tom. The branches or shoots intended for layers should not 

 be shortened or pruned the previous season. The manner of 

 performing the provignage, is by opening the ground to the 

 depth of from six inches to a foot, in proportion to the size of 

 the shoot, whichis then laid into it and covered with earth, 

 the extreme end rising from the further side, and supported 

 by a stake or pole. Care should be taken to remove any 

 eyes found upon that part of the shoot leading from the parent 

 stock to the layer. The operation should take place either 

 in the fall or early in the spring, and the layers, unless the 

 branch selected is of extraordinary size, will be well rooted by 

 the ensuing fall, but if of very large size, they will require a 

 year longer. If intended to be removed, the period for trans- 

 planting them is the same as recommended for other vines, 

 when they should be cut off close to the parent stock. The 

 principal object of this practice is the increase of the vines ; 

 but it offers other important benefits, which I will here enu- 

 merate : the branch being bent, the shoot which comes from 

 it yields more and better fruit ; forming new roots it draws 

 more sustenance from the earth, and consequently the fruit 

 becomes larger ; it renders it easy to keep the grapes at a 

 short distance from the ground in climates where that course is 

 necessary ; and lastly, in vineyards where this course is prac- 

 tised, new vines are not required, for there, as is the case in 

 Burgundy, the provins not being separated from the parent 



32 



