CHAPTER IX. 



PLANTING. 



The subject of planting brings us face to face with the serious 

 question: Are cuttings or rooted vines to be preferred ? 



This is another of the questions upon which authorities differ in 

 point of fact there is much to be said on both sides. 



The opinions of the witnesses examined by the Royal Commission 

 on Vegetable Products, as will be seen in the Abstract appended 

 hereto, are divided, although the majority admit that cuttings ulti- 

 mately produce a better vine. This opinion is also shared by some of 

 the best European authorities; others again consider that the difference 

 between the vigour of plants grown in either way is insignificant. 



Other considerations than the vigour of the resulting vine are of 

 greater importance in deciding which ought to be used. 



In very dry climates or poor soils rooted vines strike more readily 

 than even very long cuttings, and, as they can for this reason be 

 made considerably shorter, they ensure the resulting vines having 

 a better root-system (p. 91). At the same time they present the 

 disadvantage of being more expensive, whether if purchased as such 

 or if raised by the vigneron himself in a nursery, as the extra handling 

 would be rather considerable. 



Unless it be possible to irrigate, or the season be exceedingly 

 favorable for transplanting, the time gained by the employment of 

 rooted vines is so small as not to constitute a strong argument in their 

 favour. 



As a general rule, we may say that the employment of cuttings will 

 prove most economical in all cases where they strike with ease (not 

 less than 70 per cent.). If the number of misses reach 50 per cent, 

 it will pay better to employ rooted vines. 



In this chapter we have to consider 1st, planting of cuttings in 

 the vineyard ; 2nd, planting of cuttings in the nursery; 3rd, planting 

 of rooted vines in the vineyard. 



