I 139 ] 
The best method of preserving the cuttings diir^ 
ing the winter, is as follows ; In the warmest part 
of your garden, or vineyard, dig a small trench, a 
foot deep and wide, and so long that it may contain 
all your branches, (The branches, you will ob^ 
serve, are still of their natural length, as v/hen they 
were separated from the mother vine; not being to 
be cut, into the proper length of slips or cuttings, 
until they are to be planted.) In this trench, plant 
them thick and close, with the butt ends down^ 
drawing over them, and pressing well down, with 
your hand, the ground, all about the bottom of the 
branches. Let the dirt rise 2 or 3 inches above the 
surface of the ground, to prevent the water from 
settling about the vines, which would rot them^ 
You ought also to label them, that when you come 
to plant them you may be able to distinguish kind 
from kind, and to dispose most favorably of each6 
The upper parts of these branches should be laid 
upon a pole, about 3 feet from the ditch, so as that 
they may be supported at 2 or 3 feet from the 
ground, which keeps them from growing mouldy 
and from rotting. The vines then are covered with 
straw, laid lengthways upon them, so as to reach a 
little beyond the trench. Thus, by this straw roof, 
the water is carried oiF beyond the foot of the vines. 
But let not the straw be laid on too thick, lest it 
continue moist too long, and occasion mouldiness* 
Fasten a pole across the top and bottom, to prevent 
the straw from blowing away. 
