B. F. J. asks us to say when and how to layer grapevines, to which we reply:

Layers of the vine are made by taking taking ,in spring a cane of the last year's growth and bending it down ; lay it along on the surface of the earth. After the buds have grown four to six inches long, rub off every other bud, and then dig a trench about four inches deep; lay the cane along in it, and draw on about two inches of soil. In two to three weeks thereafter, again go over the ground, and draw soil on to render the surface level; then place a small stake by the side of each growing bud or vine, and tie to it. In the fall, these should be cut apart in the soil, i. e., separate the original cane half-way between the buds by cutting with a sharp spade or knife, then take them up carefully, and heel them in in some location where the water will drain quickly and readily from the surface.

Layers of the growth of this year are often made and sold, but we can not consider them as perfect plants. Such layers, if left to grow the second summer, may become mature and perfect; but if removed in spring and transplanted, ninety-five out of every hundred, while they may live during the summer, will die the coming winter. We have watched this carefully, and our advice is, never to transplant a layer from green wood until it has had its second season in its natural bed. The layers of green wood should not be separated from the parent plant until August of the second season.