284 Layering the Vine. 
admit of the use of the cultivator in the summer: cover not to ex- 
ceed an inch in depth, and after moderate pressing of the ground, 
cover the whole bed with rotten straw, which should be gradually 
removed as the sprouts appear above the ground. This mulch 
will not only retain moisture, but will prevent the surface from 
being crusted by heavy showers. Summer cultivation with cul- 
tivator and hoe should be given. 
Growing Vines by Layering.—-This is another method of 
multiplying vines which is but little employed in California, 
Layering to Multiply Vines. 
because it is so much easier to secure plants by cuttings, as the 
vinifera species roots so readily. Layering consists in bending 
down and burying a cane so as to facilitate top and root growth 
from each of the buds. The engraving shows an old vine stump, 
one of the lower canes of which has been layered, and from which 
shoots are expected, as shown by the dotted lines. To hold the 
cane in place, stakes are used. The engraving shows the cane 
as just ready to start into growth, the filling of the trench being 
deferred until the lateral shoots grow out considerably, and then, 
by covering, the roots are developed. The cane must rest in 
moist earth, and usually has to be watered artificially, as well as 
treated to prevent evaporation. The following winter the cane 
is raised and a plant made at each node. 
Another use for layering is to fill a vacancy in the row, a 
cane being taken from the nearest living vine, as shown in the 
engraving. In this case the layer must be set in a deep trench 
so as not to be torn out by the plow, and the layered cane is at 
once covered in with earth, all but one or two buds at the ex- 
tremity, where the new vine is desired. In the engraving the 
cane is given a twist around the old stump so that it may enter 
the ground where it will not be caught by the cultivator. Such 
