112 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



might be called finely rooted by one unaccustomed to 

 judge. But this is a great mistake ; for these tender fibres 

 are so delicate, as almost inevitably to perish during the 

 process of transplanting, and thence they become worse 

 than useless: they are nothing less than decaying matter 

 attached to the plant. Such fine fibres should be cleaned 

 from the roots, leaving only those which have considera- v 

 ble substance. If the layer shall still have a sufficiency 

 of roots, there is no reason why it should not become a 

 perfect vine. Cuttings from the open border seldom be- 

 come sufficiently strong in a single season to be desirable 

 for the vineyard or trellis. Frequently, also, they have a 

 double or a triple set of roots; and it becomes desirable 

 to remove the lower set. The second size of cuttings from 

 eyes under glass is also too small for vineyard planting. 

 Extra No. 1 vines, one year from the eye, with strong, 

 healthy, cord-like roots, and a few plump and ripe eyes on 

 the cane, I consider such young, vigorous, and healthy 

 stock to be as good as larger vines. They will not bear y 

 exposure and neglect as well as vines of larger size ; but 

 skilful cultivators will select such stock in preference to 

 any other. The yearlings of second quality will require 

 another season of nursing. They may go into rich beds 

 much like open-air cutting-beds, as previously described. 



