298 THE FLORIST AND 



they require more protection and are more liable to be shaken out of place 

 The above is the process of engrafting to the Mustang Vines that may be 

 found already growing about your premises. I have two grafts which I in- 

 serted into thrifty Mustang stocks on the 15th of last February ; they have 

 each run over 200 feet already, and are still growing rapidly. One of 

 these grafts put forth a cluster 7 inches long, and matured 98 large Grapes. 

 They are a bright red, transparent Grape, very rich and delicious ; they 

 were brought to this country I think by the Germans. I have another graft 

 of the Black Sweetwater Grape, which, at the expiration of 17 months from 

 the time I inserted it into the Mustang Vine, had matured half a bushel of 

 fine large Grapes, much better flavored as I think than when growing on 

 their own roots. When it is desired to have them grow where there are no* 

 Mustang roots, as in the regular form of a vineyard, it is easily effected by 

 selecting from the woods as many thrifty young Mustang Vines as you like; 

 having them as large as your finger with good roots, top them off to about 

 12 inches, carry them to your lot, insert and wrap your grafts properly, and 

 then plant them in such manner as to let your graft buds rise just above the 

 surface of the ground at the desired point in your vineyard. The hole in 

 which they are planted should be large and pretty well supplied with ma- 

 nure, fully rotted. Rotten logs or other decomposed vegetable matter is 

 best. The Mustang Vine will, however, flourish very well in almost any 

 kind of soil. It is a strong hardy Vine, and will live, to a great age. Grafts 

 from the good varieties growing on healthy Mustang roots will after the 

 fourth year if properly dressed and cared for produce from 10 to 15 bushels 

 of clusters apiece. Twenty such Vines would supply the wants of a large 

 family. They will bear abundantly the second year, but that injures the 

 Vines, and the greater part of the clusters should be clipped off. They 

 may on the third year, be permitted to mature half their clusters — one to 

 each fruit-bearing joint. There is no actual necessity for putting up expen- 

 sive frames for the Vines to run upon. Any kind of a stake sufficiently 

 strong and durable to support the Vine during the time of its fruiting is 

 good enough. It is best for the Vines to fall and remain on the ground 

 through the winter. Then, about the middle of February, or before the sap 

 begins to run, prune your Vines, stick up your stakes at the proper places 

 to receive the branches, and with the ravelling of cotton bagging tie the 

 branches to the stakes. A yard of bagging will tie up 500 Vines. Now, 

 all this is so simple, so cheap, and so easily done, that three or four years 

 hence there will be no plausible excuse for the man who has no Grapes on his 

 table — when I pay him a visit." — J. H. S. Stanley. 



Gard. Chron* 



