OF THE- VINE* 



73 



Watch-sticks should be thrust down into different 

 parts of the bed to ascertain its heat ; and then, as 

 soon as the heat becomes moderate, fill a number 

 of the smallest sized pots, (viz. kJ^ inches diameter, 

 and 3 T % deep, inside measure,) hr proportion to the 

 number of plants you wish to raise, with very fine 

 light sandy mould. Plunge the pots quite up to 

 their brims into the mould in the frame, and then 

 shut down the glasses till the mould in the pots be- 

 comes w r arm, which done, prepare and plant the 

 cuttings in the following manner. 



Now as I have already shown the properties 

 which constitute a good cutting, I shall here de- 

 scribe the manual operation required in the form- 

 ation of it. 



Let the upper part of the shoot be cut sloping 

 with a sharp knife, about a quarter of an inch 

 above the eye ; and at about three inches below 

 the eye, cut off the w T ood horizontally. Great care, 

 however, should be taken to leave the wood smooth 

 at the bottom 5 the upper part, too, should be taken 

 off with a clean stroke. As each joint affords one 

 good cutting, a few shoots of about one foot long 

 will afford you great choice. 



The cutting being ready, make a hole with the 

 finger, or by thrusting a small dibble down between 

 the mould and the side of the pot, into which let 

 the cutting be carefully inserted, and so placed, 

 that the eye may admit of being covered about a 

 quarter of an inch deep, with the fine rich mould 

 above described. 



