Grapes. 



397 



A more perfect way is to sprinkle a little compost along the cane and 

 then fill the trench a few inches with loose damp moss. This will 

 preserve a proper humidity and afford sufficient light to the starting 

 shoots. After they have become well hardened the moss is removed 

 and mellow soil substituted. The earth, if applied too early, might 

 induce rotting in the young steins. Fig. 416 represents the appear- 



Fig. 416. Shoots springing from a layered stem. 



ance of this process after the shoots have attained full growth and 

 rooted well at the bottom. Usually about half-a-dozen plants are a 

 sufficient number to raise from one cane ; more will start, but they 

 should be rubbed off to give strength to the remainder. When a 

 part outgrow the others, they should be pinched back to equalize the 

 growth. This process is repeated for 

 successive years ; but as it tends to 

 exhaust the main plant it is advisable 

 to suspend it occasionally for a year if 

 the vigor becomes diminished. 



These new plants are well rooted 

 before winter ; and should be taken 

 up, separated, and packed away as 

 already described. Fig. 417 represents 

 one of these new plants. 



It will be observed that while these 

 plants were forming from the layered 

 cane, one, two, or three shoots, accord- 

 ing to the strength of the plant, should 

 be trained to a stake for next season's 

 work, the cane having been properly 

 cut-back for this purpose. 



CUTTINGS IN OPEN GROUND. Thjs 

 is sometimes an easy mode of raising plants, but is generally uncer- 

 tain and often unsuccessful. Much depends on the character of the 



Fig. 417. Newly formed layer- 

 plant. 



