60 THE GKAPE CULTURIST. 



tied to a stake. In the fall or winter this should be cut 

 back to within three or four buds of the last season's 

 growth ; this number of buds is left to guard against ac- 

 cident, but only two are to be allowed to grow. 



The next spring the two buds that push the strongest 

 are to be allowed to grow, and should be kept tied to the 

 stake as before. If the vine this, the second, season grows 

 strong, and makes a growth of from six to ten feet, it will 

 do to commence layering it the next spring, at which time 

 it will be in its third season after planting. But if it 

 should not produce a strong growth, then one cane should 

 be cut entirely away, and the other to three or four buds, 

 allowing but two to grow as before, and defer the layer- 

 ing until the fourth year. For there is nothing gained by 

 taking layers from a vine until it is strong enough to make 

 good plants. But so soon as the vine has made two strong 

 canes, of from six to ten feet long, whether it be the sec- 

 ond or third year, it may be layered. 



HOW TO LAYER THE VINE. 



If the wood that is to be cut off is wanted for cuttings, 

 then the vine may be pruned in the fall ; if not, defer the 

 pruning until the last of February or the first of March. 

 Select the largest cane for the layer ; if it be ten feet long 

 it should be cut back to six or seven feet, but if not so 

 long then cut it back still more ; then cut the other cane 

 down to within three or four buds of its base. After the 

 buds begin to swell in the spring (or even if they have 

 grown an inch or two it is no matter), layer the cane in 

 the following manner : Dig a trench from four to six inches 

 deep, six inches wide, and of a sufficient length to receive 

 the cane ; now bend it down and fasten it in the trench by 

 hooked pegs, or by laying a stone or two upon it. The 

 bottom of the trench should be level and the vine laid flat 

 in the bottom, and not turned up at the end as is some- 



