FORCING DEPARTMENT. ^71 



the operation performed with great nicety. The 

 clay that surrounds the graft should be enveloped in 

 moss, and that kept in a moist state by occasional 

 watering with the syringe, until the union is fully 

 accomplished. 



The propagation of the Vine, by layers, which 

 was the most general practice formerly, is now but 

 seldom resorted to, in consequence of plants raised 

 this way being found much inferior to those raised 

 from eyes, or buds. This method, therefore, of late 

 years, has become very justly abandoned ; as plants, 

 raised by layers, although very strong and shewy 

 the first season, generally produce long jointed 

 wood., are less prolific, and later in coming into a 

 bearing state, and seldom make such good roots for 

 their support, as those increased by eyes, or seeds. 



The raising of Vines from seed is the only way 

 of obtaining new varieties,, which may still be in- 

 creased to a much greater extent, and the quality 

 of many of the kinds of fruit much improved, by 

 being impregnated with the pollen from other ap- 

 proved sorts. This may be effected by placing the 

 shoots of two or three of such kinds as generally 

 burst into flower about the same time, in such a 

 position as to allow of their bunches being brought 

 in contact with each other when they are in bloom. 

 The farina of the different varieties becoming thus 

 intermixed, we may naturally expect from the re- 

 sult an improved variety of fruit. When the berries 

 appear to be fully formed, the shoots should be again 

 removed to their former position, and the bunches 

 carefully thinned and tied up, so as that the fruit 

 3b2 



