142 



GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



Propagation of the grape is done by nurserymen in green- 

 houses, similar to that used for propagating 

 florists plants. But most of the varieties can 

 be grown with fair success by cuttings in the 

 open air. The cuttings, (made from the 

 young, well ripened shoots of the previous 

 year's growth), may be made with two (fig. 57) 

 or three buds or eyes, planted in rows, say one 

 foot apart and three inches between the cut- 

 tings, and set so that the top eye or bud only 

 is above ground. The situation where the 

 cuttings are placed should be well exposed 

 to the sun, the soil rich and deep, and of 

 sandy or light character. Care must be 

 taken that the cutting is well firmed in the 

 soil. The cuttings may be made from the 

 prunings at any time during winter, and Fig. 57. 

 kept in a damp cellar or buried outside cutting. 

 in sand until planted in the cutting-bed in the spring. 



THE VARIETIES OF THE GRAPE 



Now number many hundred, and we will recommend 

 only a very few of the most distinct sorts that have been 

 grown long enough to allow us to be certain of their 

 merits. 



Concord is perhaps more universally cultivated than 

 any other. It grows most luxuriantly, bearing bunches 

 of large size abundantly ; color black, with a rich blue 

 bloom ; the flavor is of average quality. Ripens during 

 the month of September. 



Hartford Prolific. — Resembles the Concord in general 

 appearance, but ripens two or three weeks earlier. It is 

 valuable on this account, but in light soils drops its fruit 

 badly, which is quite a drawback. 



Iona. — Is a seedling of the old Catawba, color pale red, 



