CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 77 



necessary. Only a single eye should be allowed to grow 

 beyond the point of layering; but this will be so strong as 

 to require a firm support. When extra strength is not 

 so much the object sought, but layering is relied upon for 

 obtaining a considerable number of plants, the parent 

 "stools," as the rooted trunks are termed, should be devot- 

 ed to this sole purpose, and not be allowed to fruit. From 

 two to four new shoots may be grown each year, from 

 four to eight feet in length. These are succession-canes, 

 which are to take the place of the canes which are lay- 

 ered this season. About the 1st of April, the canes of 

 last season are uncovered from their winter bed, and a 

 slight incision is made below each eye, as seen in fig. 17, 

 not commencing nearer than a foot and a half from the 

 stool. Now dig trenches radiating from the stool, suffi- 

 ciently long for each cane to lie its length ; the trenches 

 being four inches deep. Peg down the canes, sprinkle 

 a slight quantity of prepared compost around them to a 

 level with the eyes, and partly fill the trench with light 

 moss. This will preserve the cane in a humid state, and 

 will not prevent the eyes from seeking the light. Judg- 

 ment must be exercised as to the amount of moss to be 

 used, and the time when the young shoots are sufficiently 

 strong and hardened to bear the removal of the moss and 



