OF THE VINE. 
57 
lar, becaufe forward (hoots from Vines, forced early, are the 
moft eligible for the intended purpofe. Early and forward 
(hoots, having a longer fummer than thofe afterwards pro- 
duced, will, of courfe, be better ripened and matured. 
Vines againft common walls, or in vineries, that are not 
forced early, will fometimes produce remarkably ftrong wood, 
and fucb (hoots, on account of their uncommon (ize, are, by 
unfkilful perfons, frequently chofen for cuttings. 
The extraordinary (ize of the (lioot I confider as one of the 
leaft requifites necetfary to form a good cutting. Indeed ex- 
ceeding (Irong (hoots generally abound too much with pith to 
claim a preference. I wi(h to obferve too, that much depends 
on the nature and form of the eye, or bud, as well as the wood, 
and that better buds are generally produced from (lioots of a 
moderate (ize, than from exceeding (Irong ones. 
The particulars neceifary to form a good cutting are princi- 
pally thefe : i. The eye, or bud, (hould be large, prominent, 
and bold; 2. The (hoots (laould be moderately (Irong, round, 
and (hort-jointed ; 3. The texture of the wood (hould be 
clofe, folid, and compadl; but the bed: criterion of its ma- 
turity is, its folidity, and having very little pith". 
H At 
" The young vigorous (lioots of many trees, as w'ell as the Vine, greatly abound 
with pith. Among thefe the Elder feems to be the moft remarkable. I have ob- 
ferved 
