VITIS, GRAPEVINE. 275 



Frequently the graft may put down roots instead of uniting with the stock; but at least the 

 resulting benefit is the same. 



Layers & rooted cuttings can be planted from November until the end of February 

 in loose, warm, slightly gravelly soil, which is best suited to grapevines. It's not that they 

 won't succeed in all kinds of soil, but in soil that is damp, cold, heavy, compact, &c. the 

 fruit ripens with difficulty & it isn't as good. 



In our climate the Chasselas, the Cioutat, the Corinthe, &c. ripen well in southern, 

 eastern, & even western exposures, on espalier, counterespalier, in borders around the 

 squares of kitchen gardens, and in rows in rectangular beds such as one finds in 

 vineyards. Muscats & several other grapes require espaliers & southern exposures, yet in 

 most cases they ripen there only incompletely. As a result, those who fancy these grapes 

 and who wish to obtain delectable ones every year should place glass frames in front of 

 the espaliers. 



If a grapevine is left to itself, no espalier wall would be big enough for its shoots 

 that often will stretch several toises in a single year. This excess wood greatly diminishes 

 the quantity, quality, & size of the fruit. So grapevines have to be pruned more than any 

 other fruit tree. Some sources say that it's better to prune them improperly than not to 

 prune them at all. At what time, on which branches, and to what length should the 

 pruning be done? 



1°. Grapevines can be pruned from December until March. Most commonly 

 pruning is done toward the end of February before the sap has begun to rise. 



2°. In contrast to most other fruit trees, grapevines are pruned on the biggest & 

 strongest shoots. The weak ones are completely removed, & the medium ones are pruned 



