VINE 



295 



attacked the vines, and destroyed the promise of their early 

 growth and the fair appearance of their fruit. 



The best treatises on the subject of raising grape-vines 

 recommend planting the cuttings in pots ; but in this country 

 it is entirely unnecessary, as the plants may be easily raised 

 m the open grounds with little trouble and no expense ; and 

 if we can add to our collection of fine fruits one, which, in* 

 sickness as well as in health, is the most refreshing and 

 nutritive of any that we possess, with little expense, and 

 even with profit to the cultivator, we shall do a great good. 



The best mode of raising the plants is by cuttings taken 

 from the vines at the fall pruning, and preserved in earth 

 till spring. These may be made either of one eye or bud, 

 or of four or five, attached to a small portion of the two 

 years' old wood, forming a cutting in the shape of a small 

 mallet. 



The 1st year, — They may be raised in a small nursery- 

 bed, prepared of a good light soil — set in the ground six 

 inches distant from each other, with the rows wide enough 

 apart to permit them to be weeded with a narrow hoe ; or, 

 they may be put, in the first instance, where they are to be 

 reared, and left to grow, at the distance of five, six, or seven 

 feet, or more, according to the wishes of the cultivator. In 

 this latter case there should be three cuttings put into each 

 spot, six inches apart, to ensure the setting of one. When 

 this is ascertained with certainty, the two weakest may be 

 (vithdrawn, leaving the best of the three to grow. If the 

 cuttings be of one eye each, they should be from the last 

 year's growth, and a small piece of the branch, an inch long, 

 should be left attached to the bud, and extending half an 

 inch on each side of it. These should be planted two 

 inches below the surface, with the bud uppermost, and a 

 small stake placed by the side of them, that they may not 

 be disturbed. If the cuttings are of several eyes, they 

 should be laid in the ground sloping, leaving one eye level 

 with, or only just above, the surface. They should be kent 

 moist, but not v/et, as this will rot them. A spot which 

 receives the morning sun till eleven o'clock, and not after- 

 wards, is the best for a nursery-bed for them ; but, for per- 

 manency, they should be planted where they will receive 

 the sun longest; and, in this case, they should be shaded at 

 noon day until they have entirely put out. One bud only 

 should be allowed to push from the cutting the first year ; 

 the plant should be kept free from weeds ; the earth ke^^t 

 light around it, and as soon as the shoot has attained 



