[ 140 3 
The best time of planting, according to some, is 
the vernal, according to others, the aOtumnal sea¬ 
son. In the island of Madeira, from the middle of 
November to the end of February will answer. In 
the spring, with us, the months of April or May 
are best; in the fall, October and November. It 
is the opinion of many, that in America, the fall is 
preferable. However, both seasons are nearly the 
same for this purpose ; and therefore each person 
may be regulated according to his own views, or 
conveniency. The vines should, however, whether 
planted or not, be secured from the wintry frosts. 
The ground being in fine order, prepare your 
shoots for planting, by cutting them to the length 
you wish, according to the foregoing directions— 
always preferring the lower part of the shoot which 
grew nearest the old wood. If you have plenty of 
cuttings, it will be best to take only the lowest for 
your purpose ; however, if you have chosen the 
best branches, you may have four or five good cut¬ 
tings from a branch three feet long. You should 
use a sharp knife, and cut the thick end of the plant 
horizontal, the upper end oblique, about half an 
inch above the eye. 
The shoots should be planted at the distance of i 
8, 10 or 12 feet apart every way, and placed neither ! 
in a perpendicular nor horizontal, but an inclined j 
position, leaving the upper bud, or eye, nearly as j 
Ipw as the surface of the soil. When coveredj the | 
