68 



ON THE MANAGEMENT 



eligible for the intended purpose. Early and for- 

 ward shoots, having a longer summer than those 

 afterwards produced, will, of course, be better 

 ripened and matured. 



Vines against common walls, or in vineries, that 

 are not forced early, will sometimes produce re- 

 markably strong wood, and such shoots, on ac- 

 count of their uncommon size, are, by unskilful 

 persons, frequently chosen for cuttings. 



The extraordinary size of the shoot I consider 

 as one of the least requisites necessary to form a 

 good cutting. Indeed exceeding strong shoots 

 generally abound too much with pith to claim a 

 preference. I wish to observe, too, that much good 

 depends on the nature and form of the eye, or 

 bud, as well as the wood, and that better buds are 

 generally produced from shoots of a moderate size, 

 than from exceeding strong ones. 



The particulars necessary to form a good cutting 

 are principally these : 1. The eye, or bud, should 

 be large, prominent, and bold ; 2. The shoots 

 should be moderately strong, round, and short- 

 jointed ; 3. The texture of the wood should be 

 close, solid, and compact ; but the best criterion 

 of its maturity is its solidity, and having very little 

 pith.° 



° The young vigorous shoots of many trees, as well as the 

 Vine, greatly abound with pith. Among these the Elder 

 seems to be the most remarkable. I have observed a pith in 

 young vigorous shoots of this plant that has measured above 

 five-eighths of an inch diameter ; and here it may be deemed 



