The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-02
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions lor Our
Agricultural Readers
Propagating Grape Vines.


A correspondent in Kansas desires TO knew
how grape vines are propagated. As this 70 tia
season of tho year when cuttings are 70 10
made, few lines on how to do it. especially e
many shrubs are increased in the same way,
will be in good season. Grape vines root read
lily from cuttings. These cuttings ara made
now or at any time while they are dormant
Generally IL is the trimmings Of the pruning
which vines get now that are used, excepting
when the sole object is propagation; then the
whole cane can be cut down and used. Ths
canes made last year are the ones used. Tasy
are cut into lengths TO admit Of one or two eyes
being out of the ground when planted and st
much being buried. With vigorous canes In
which the eyes are good way apart, . length
OF two eyes will be enough. The lower part
should be cut of clean just below % nd
the upper part just above one. This cutting
may be perhaps nino inches long or 10. In
this case. and every case. bury it to depth
that leaves the eye two or three inches out Of
the ground. When the cuttings are made as
this time of the year il is usual to tie them In
small bundles and bury them in a cellar, In
soil, sand, or damp moss much as they would
be when planted in the Spring, where they re-
main until the soil is st for planting in Spring;
they are set out in rows, in good soil, the earth
pressed in solidly about them. and the work b
done. As q general thing the most Of them
will grow. Some sorts grow better than others.
The Delaware, for instance. does not root 70
readily as most others do. The above method
is the simplest and surest one Of all, especially
for the amateur. Should the season be favor
able one the cuttings would be rooted nicely By
Fall. and in the Spring following they sould Be
sat out in their permanent places.
When propagation is carried on az . business,
other methods of propagation are employed.
Summer layering is one way. cane 10
placed in . horizontal position near the grouad
in Spring. AS each eye bursts In Spring and
the shoots attain some six inches of length q
trench of about six inches deep 10 made, che
cane is placed in it, and then as the new shoots
make their upward growth good soil is filed Ia
about them, into which they root. Thoss who
have greenhouse facilities have still smother
plan, called the single. eye system. The canes
at this season of the year are cut to single eyeA
so that by q slantng cut about an inch Of wood
is left below The eye and rather less above 10.
These eyes are then placed in pots or boxes
mixed with damp moss. They are left this
way for two or three weeks. By that time the
cuts have healed and then they are ready for
planting. Boxes Of clean sand are procured
and these little cuttings pressed Into IL antu
the eye 10 but just out of the sand. IL they can
be given little bottom heat so much the bet
ter. and the boxes should have paper placed
over them for shading. The greater number
OF ordinary shrubs can be increased by cuttings
OF last years wood made now. into nina 20 12-
inch lengths. and treated exactly as recon-
mended for grape vines. Some kinds viii res
root in this way, or better, increased by lay
ers made in Summer, but is is q good plan -
try few of all kinds 30 as to find ent which
are those that will grow in this way. All cut
tings OF this character are to be made Of last
seasons wood. that of previous years being sss
old to root readily.-Practicat Farmer.
Bushel Boxes.
Before the busy season comes 70 IN we'll -
spend little time and trouble in making saok.
Ing crates. In q small book, Handling Tarn
Produce" A. i. Root gives the cbezpsss Al
best kinds to make. Cut No. la III Inches