PLANTING ROOTED VINES 



351 



For planting in dry situations some careful planters run water 

 and fine earth into the hole made by the bar after inserting the 

 cutting; others run in fine sand dry and then pour on water. In 

 using water in this way one must take care that he does not 

 use adobe earth, for a succeeding dry spell may bake it, and the 

 cutting will be worse off than if not puddled. 



Planting Rooted Vines. Planting rooted vines is governed by 

 the same rules commended for planting trees in Chapter XI, sa 

 far as preparation of holes, care in placing and firming the soil 

 around the roots, etc., is concerned. In handling rooted vines 

 there must be greater care in packing and transportation to pre- 

 vent the roots from drying, and in carrying to the field it is gen- 

 erally advised that the plants be kept in a pail or other receptacle 

 with water. The vine roots are very small and tender, and 

 success will largely depend upon good care of them. At planting 

 all dead or injured roots should be trimmed away, healthy roots 

 shortened so that they can be placed well in the hole, and the 

 top reduced to a single cane cut back to two eyes. 



When to Plant. The exact time to plant can not be stated, 

 for the condition of the soil and the local season-points are the 

 best guides. Planting can be done much later as a rule in the 

 coast regions than in the interior, because the soil is usually 

 later in getting into good condition of mellowness and warmth, 

 and the late rains are usually heavier. It is certainly not advis- 

 able to place cuttings in cold, wet soil, and dry soil will quickly 

 destroy their vitality. The suggestions given in Chapter XI 

 should be carefully considered. The planter must use good judg- 

 ment in choosing his time for planting, aided in forming it by the 

 best local experience he can get. 



Cultivation of Vineyard. General suggestions concerning the 

 cultivation of the vineyard have already been given in Chapter 

 XIII, preceding. 



