Grafting is only practised on the vine for special reasons, and we
have never had occasion to try it. We shall speak of a better mode of
obtaining vines.
The best method of “getting a start” of grape vines is, by the
employment of cuttings. These may be planted immediately after the
spring pruning of established vines. But cuttings of native grapes are
as well planted _in the fall_. The granulation, from which the roots
spring, will form during the winter, and the cuttings, starting early
in the spring, will make good growth the first year. Cuttings are the
best, because they can be procured easily, abundantly, and cheaply;
they will bear carriage to any distance, are exceedingly tenacious of
life, and they make thriftier plants. Cuttings may be set, either
where they are to remain, in which case several should be set, to
allow for failures, and only the strongest finally retained; or, they
may be set in nursery rows, eight inches apart. Cuttings should be
inserted about eight inches deep, and have two eyes or buds above the
surface. The _two_ buds are merely precautionary; that if one fails
the other may sprout; one only, and that the strongest, should finally
be permitted to grow.
An old and skillful cultivator of the vine says that _cuttings are the
best of all modes of_ securing a supply of vines. “For my part I am
for scions without roots, after many experiments. All the advantage
the one with roots has over the other, is that they are more sure to
live; but they will not in general, _make as thrifty plants_.”—_J. J.
Dufour._
This only objection to cuttings—that a part of them fail to root—is of
little practical importance, as they are easily obtained in any
quantity.