396 Grapes. 



every joint will emit a profusion of roots, before the end of autumn 

 presenting the appearance shown in Fig. 414. The layer may then 

 be taken up by cutting it loose from the vine and shortening-back 

 its extremity, and then by setting a spade far under it, lifting the 

 whole out of the ground. It is then cut in two and forms two strong 

 plants as shown in Fig. 415. These layers may be then heeled in 

 or covered with earth for the winter, giving some protection from 



Fig. 414. Grape Layer, the roots Fig. 415. Grape Layer, separated 



formed, into two plants. 



freezing by covering the surface with manure or leaves, or they may 

 be packed for the winter in boxes of damp moss in the cellar. 



SPRING LAYERING. As layers, like unmolested runners on the 

 strawberry, exhaust the main plant, they should be taken very spar- 

 ingly from bearing vines. When they are required in large numbers, 

 vines should be planted specially for this purpose the soil to be 

 made very rich and well cultivated, so as to produce a strong growth 

 of shoots unlike the moderate fertility required for bearing crops. 

 The spaces between these vines should be six or seven feet ; and 

 generally two or three years are required, in connexion with cutting- 

 back to two or three buds, and training one or two shoots to upright 

 stakes, before the canes become strong enough to layer profitably. 

 When this is the case, begin the work late in spring, about the time 

 the buds open, by laying down the strongest cane of the two into a 

 smooth straight trench made for the purpose, about five inches deep. 

 The cane selected should not be less than eight or ten feet long, but 

 so much of the end should be cut off as to leave only strong buds, 

 the remaining part not being more than six or seven feet long. 

 With short-jointed varieties it should be less in length. It is held 

 in this position by pegs or stones. The objec~l being to obtain a 

 strong shoot at each eye, the end should not be bent up, which would 

 draw the growth off in that direction. As soon as the new shoots 

 have grown a few inches, the prostrate vines should be slightly 

 covered with earth, which is to be increased as the growth advances 



