66 HORTICULTURAL MANUAL. 



practice it is found that, in a few cases the buried buds 

 decay when set deep in fall-planting. The treatment of 

 this class is given in succeeding section. 



60. Spring-planted Cuttings. If grape-cuttings are 

 planted in the fall, at time of pruning of the vines, a good 

 stand at the North is rarely secured on account of rotting 

 of the buds in contact with the cold earth. In the South, 

 and in all parts where very early spring-planting is possible, 

 the cuttings are planted in the usual way. In such cases 

 roots usually start in time to support the growth that 

 starts from the top bud in May. But in such cases com- 

 mercial growers usually mulch the cutting rows with spent 

 tanbark, sawdust, or leaf-mould, to hold back the top buds 

 while roots are forming. In the prairie States north of 

 the 42d parallel it is usual with vine-growers to callus the 

 cuttings in what is known as the " solar hot-bed" prior to 

 planting. This consists in bundling the cuttings by tying 

 with willow bands, taking care to make the lower ends even. 

 It has been found best not to make large bundles. Fifty 

 cuttings in one bundle will callus better than in larger 

 packages. As made they are placed bottom end up in a 

 pit about fourteen inches deep and as wide and long as 

 needed. The bundles are set perpendicular, with earth 

 packed tightly between. In case the bundles vary in 

 length dirt is crowded under the short ones to give an even 

 surface on top of the upturned cuttings. When all are in, 

 cover with five inches of fine mellow earth and over all 

 cover a foot or more of forest leaves or manure, with some 

 sticks and pieces of boards to hold the covering in place. 

 Quite early in the spring the leaves are taken off and the 

 earth-covering raked. If dry weather follows water is 

 needed with after-raking, the purpose being to favor the 

 heating of the soil over the cuttings, giving favorable con- 



