82 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



lowest eye, and gradually tapering to the bottom. It is 

 then inserted as far as the lowest bud into the cleft of the 

 stock : the second bud is level with the surface of the 

 ground, which is drawn close around it ; and the upper- 

 most is quite above the soil. Great care is necessary in 

 adjusting the scion, that its bark may touch that of the 

 stock in every possible point. The whole is then bound 

 round with a pliable osier, which retains the scion in its 

 proper place. The best season for grafting the vine is 

 just when the warmth of spring sets the sap in motion; 

 and it should be performed when the sky is cloudy, with 

 the wind blowing from the south-east or south-west. 

 Whenever a northerly wind or a great drought prevails, 

 it is better to delay the operation : a burning sun, or cold 

 wind, would arrest the course of the sap by drying up 

 the vessels at the point of union. Neither is it advisa- 

 ble to graft in rainy weather, because the water will 

 trickle down into the incision, and prevent the union 

 between the scion and the stock. The best time for 

 taking off the grafts is in a dry day toward the end of 

 autumn, when the sap is still. They should be cut off 

 with a portion of the old wood adhering, which will 

 assist in preserving them until wanted for use. They 

 should be plunged two or three inches deep in damp 



