CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 73 



as possible, and rather dry. If the buds show signs of 

 breaking, planting must not be delayed. With a spade 

 cut the first line across the bed to the depth of six inches ; 

 place the cuttings 

 in the line, in a 

 slanting position, as 

 seen in fig. 15, four 

 inches apart in the 

 line. This is rather 

 thick; but some of 

 the cuttings will Fig. 15. 



probably fail. The lower eye, it will be seen, is behind 

 the cutting, and the lower cut is in a position to be 

 pressed firmly to the earth. Partially fill the trench, and 

 press the cuttings quite firmly with a long-handled mal- 

 let prep ared for the purpose. Then fill up the line to a 

 level, the upper eye being just visible on the surface. 

 Cut a parallel line twelve inches from the first for such 

 varieties as the Delaware, or fifteen to eighteen inches for 

 grosser kinds, and proceed as before. Should the cuttings 

 be in perfect condition, they will soon make root, though 

 they sometimes remain stationary until June in cold and 

 wet seasons. It is true economy to give the bed every 

 requisite, a partial shade if the weather is very dry and 



