THE GRAPE VINE. 8 1 



stronger and longer than the others, cut these back, and 

 dash a handful or two of dry sand about the roots, and 

 give them a shake. Eoot-pruning, however, is rarely ne- 

 cessary when vines are grown as has been directed. The 

 vine is thus ready for planting. Eemove the soil to the 

 depth of 9 inches, and to a width sufiBcient to take in 

 the extended roots. In this space carefully place the vine, 

 spreading out the roots and keeping the stem 6 inches 

 off the front wall. Cover up the lower roots with some 

 of the finest of the soil, making sure that every root 

 stretches regularly out from the stem all round. Pack 

 the soil firmly about them with the hand, and lay 

 down each layer of roots with soil in between and 

 about them, till those nearest the surface are covered 

 3 or 4 inches deep. Fix a stake in the soil at the 

 back of the vine, tying the top of it to the first wire, 

 and tie the A'ine neatly to it, so that as it grows and 

 strengthens the stem may be straight and neat. Settle 

 the soil about the roots with water through a fine rose 

 at a temperature of about 100° ; then cover the Surface 

 of the soil with a layer of old mushroom-bed manure, 

 to prevent evaporation and the necessity for frequent 

 watering. This is especially necessary if the roots are 

 near the pipes. Supposing that the lights are 6 feet 

 wide, let a permanent vine, to be brought away with 

 two rods each, be planted to each rafter. This wiU give 

 a rod to every 3 feet run of the vinery. Vines should 

 never be thicker. In the centre of each light plant a 

 vine to be trained with one stem, for the purpose of 

 being fruited the following season, half-way up the 

 roof ; and where as many grapes as possible are, as is 

 usually the case, an object, plant a set of vines every 

 6 feet along the centre of the house to crop the top half 



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