CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 115 



are removed by a a smooth cut. If many vines are to be 

 thus prepared, do the work in some moist and shaded 

 place, and take them to the field in a mat or box, with 

 moss around the roots. The holes should be already dug, 

 being large enough for the roots to radiate from* the 

 centre without bending. The holes should be about six 

 inches deep, the centre being very slightly crowning, so 

 that the base of the vine shall be from four to five inches 

 below the surface when the work is finished. The vine 

 should be placed exactly in the place where the cane is to 

 be brought up. Some advise the plan of placing the 

 vine a distance from the trellis, and then laying down 

 the cane towards the trellis, and burying all but the 

 end of the cane upon which an eye is left remain- 

 ing. This eye is to furnish a new cane, while the 

 old cane under ground is making an extra supply of 

 new roots. It is claimed that a greatly increased amount 

 of roots can thus be obtained in a single season; but 

 such a vine is an ill-arranged and incongruous affair. 

 Make haste slowly; preserve the symmetry of the vine; 

 keep the roots as near as possible to the stem, and radiat- 

 ing around it : these are safe rules to follow. In a good 

 soil, there need be no fear but the roots will do all that 

 may be desirable. 



