188 FRUIT CULTURE. 



that roots will form more rapidly at this season 

 than in the spring. But the young roots do not 

 always become sufficiently strong in the brief time 

 before frosts, and the layers may require another 

 season before the new plant is fit to be separated 



Fig 19. 



from its parent. This often happens when a 

 drought occurs in the latter part of the season. 

 For this and other reasons, layering may be done 

 before growth starts in the spring. In the case 

 of grapes, the form of growth may be regulated 

 in the preceding season by leading out several 

 horizontal shoots and stopping the tips when six 

 or eight feet long, thus causing a great number 

 of laterals to develop, all of which will make ex- 

 cellent plants by fall. Fig. 20 illustrates the 

 rapidity with which vines may be thus increased. 

 Strong pegs will be required to hold stiff branches 

 firmly in position. A handful of fine leaf mould 

 and sand at the tongue will greatly assist in 

 developing roots. Sufficient covering of soil and 



