CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 87 



cheapest covering and most perfect, and is also a bet- 

 ter guard against mice. Leaves are better than earth, 

 hay, or straw; although they, as well as hay and straw, 

 are an inviting nest for mice. The advantages of this 

 method are as follows : First, the work is done at a com- 

 paratively leisure season of the year, when there is time 

 to select the best days ; secondly, the cut of the stock 

 being made in the fall, the pores have time to close before 

 the flow of sap in the spring, and very little if any bleed- 

 ing ensues ; thirdly, the frost being excluded, a slight as- 

 similation of the stock and scion is going on throughout 

 the winter. In the spring, they are in the precise condi- 

 tion to make the start together. The object of the pot as 

 a covering is to prevent any thing from coming in contact 

 with the scion to disturb it during the winter, or when 

 uncovered in the spring. I once omitted this covering, 

 but substituted a considerable mound of earth. As a 

 result, some scions escaped injury, and grew with great 

 vigor; while others, being caught at the top by the frost, 

 were drawn completely out of the stocks, and so perished. 

 But a sufficient covering is a complete guard against this 

 danger. The scions are not to be uncovered until the 

 severe frosts are past, which, in the vicinity of Boston, is 

 about April 1. This should be done with care, that no 



