In our last paper we endeavored to show the reader that the natural results produced by our conventional system of practice and education, in the use of the two classes of vines, good and bad, or, in other words, strong and healthy, and the debilitated constitutionally; and that both classes ultimately would be in the possession of strong, powerful roots, one as the other, the difference between poor vines and strong ones being, that in the former case, the roots, when they issue forth from the plant, go direct to the bottom of the border; and in the latter case, travel immediately through and out of it. A mere superficial view of this quality in the two classes of vines may lead the reader to infer, that if poor, debilitated vines will ultimately produce as strong roots as strong and healthy vines, that this question of quality would be quite immaterial. If such an impression should be presented to the mind of the reader, we respectfully refer him to our last paper, where the difference in growth - when growth commences - the ripening of the wood of the first season's growth, and the power of bursting vigorously into new growth the second year, is fully shown.

We stated further, that vines having poor roots when first planted, those roots remain for several years in nearly the same condition, "are never resuscitated, and die ultimately." Now in reading over the last sentence when in print, we find we have not explained the cause why poor roots die ultimately, and this is nothing more than making an assertion without a proof. Now let us see if we can prove this assertion to the mind of the reader. It is a very important point in cultivation, and will be found to be the key which unlocks the door of a very dark room.

We have all read the directions in horticultural books, how to plant vines. We are told to shake the roots out, and evenly and regularly spread them out on the surface of the border; and to improve the root power of the plant, many authors direct that a portion of the cane shall be placed under the soil as well as the roots. Now the object of layering a portion of the cane is evident to all gardeners at least - an increase in the number of roots? Now who can have any objection to this method of inducing more roots? Your humble servant, "Fox Meadow," has, in the way it is done. Now let us examine the movement of the vine, and what its actions are, as soon as it gets planted. First, we shall be careful in preserving what roots the young plant may have, and then we carefully spread these roots evenly and regularly on the border, at the same time layering that portion of the cane which is not required for the inside of the house, one or two buds of this cane being all that is requisite to be seen in the house, and from which is to come forth the new wood or shoot.

The vine commences its growth, the sap begins to circulate, and the roots that were so carefully spread out on the border, push forth their little thread-like feeders, and the more these little roots collect, the quicker is the sap circulation. But this sap finds an impediment in its circulation, (downward;) there is an angle formed in the stem just under the ground, and this angle was formed when the vine was planted, through the necessity of having those one or two eyes above ground, from which was to issue forth the young cane. We have called that angle an impediment, but "authority" has taught us that that impediment will cause the bursting forth of new, strong roots, and we must say that authority is correct, for on this principle do we succeed in rooting a host of evergreens, as well as deciduous trees and shrubs. Now, we do not want the reader to lose sight of the original roots of the vine, as it was turned out of the pot, and spread over the border, for they are growing a little, and we wish you now just to look at the under side of that angle in question, and there will be seen some purely white protrusions; none can be seen on the upper side of this angle, and they are only seen on the under side where that portion of the cane forms the bend.

In a few days' time these white protrusions grow out into strong, powerful roots, and drive directly downward with increasing power and strength. It is truly wonderful the size that these roots will attain in one summer's growth; we have found them nearly an inch in diameter. Between these roots which are produced from the angle in question, and the young cane which is being formed, does nearly every particle of the circulation of the sap become restricted. The principal flow of sap is always through the largest channels, and rapid currents will always necessitate their permanent maintenance.

The reader will now most probably see why the original roots of vines (if poor) are never resuscitated, and why they ultimately die off altogether. These large tap-roots being formed by our would-be cleverness, brings the circulation nearer home, and the consequence is, that the original roots are thrown out of communication with the leaves of the plants, and, consequently, they ultimately die. Fig. 1 will illustrate this action of the roots as we have found them five and six years after being planted. We have often layered three and four feet of young cane in the border when first planting the vine, but have never yet found that the cane ever emitted roots worthy of notice between the orignal vine roots and the angle formed by the process; the principal strong roots are invariably produced from the angle, and thus severing the communication from those immediately behind them. Now if poor vines are not layered in the manner described, but planted erect, poor roots will always die, because, as we have previously stated, the plants being no better than cuttings, will, like cuttings, issue new roots just over and above their original roots from their woody stems, and drive directly to the bottom of the border, as do those issued from the angle just alluded to.