76 Vineyard Culture. 



enormous quantities of vines are produced by the nurseryman, 

 and sold to the vine-planter. 



The nursery of long cuttings — such as were formerly used 

 almost exclusively, was often made in this way. A mel- 

 low piece of loamy soil having been selected, either fal- 

 low, or, if in clover, so much the better, a trench was opened 

 along one side, as recommended by Mr, Du Breuil. The 

 garden line was stretched, and the bank of freshly dug earth 

 was dressed to it, with the spade, and sloping to the bottom 

 of the trench, which was made some fifteen to eighteen 

 inches deep. The cuttings were placed along this slope, about 

 three inches apart, and so arranged that the top bud should 

 barely reach the surface. 



The spade was then taken, and a little earth from the un- 

 dug land was cast upon the bases of the cuttings, and firmly 

 trodden, so as to fix them in their places, without disturbing 

 their upper points, however, which should always remain 

 near the line. The digging then proceeded the whole length 

 of the line, as in common preparation of the garden, and the 

 fine soil thrown upon the cuttings, and pressed to them. 

 When a strip of fifteen to eighteen inches width, was thus 

 dug, the line was moved, and set at that distance from 

 its first position, the earth graded to it, and another row 

 planted. 



When completed, the nursery was generally left without 

 fiirther care until the young shoots began to make their ap- 

 pearance, when the crust would require loosening, very care- 

 fully, with a weeding-fork or a rake-hoe. This process is 

 one requiring great delicacy, because the shoots are very ten- 

 der^ and brittle, and easily destroyed. In some soils which 

 are apt to bake and form a hard crust, it is better, as the rows 

 are planted, to raise a little ridge of soil over the points of 

 the cuttings. This is done before moving the line, by using 

 a fine garden-rake, or by putting on a small quantity of loose 



