176 TRANSACTIONS OP THE 



are preferable. This, however, I think is only true as to some locali- 

 ties, not to all. 



A hillside differs from a plane or level surface necessarily but in 

 two ways; first, exposure when on the south and west side to the more 

 direct rays of the sun; and second, to a more rapid shedding of water 

 that falls as rain and the greater evaporation, having more surface 

 exposed. It is true that the grape has an abhorrence of excessive 

 moisture, causing many diseases and decay, and abundant sunshine 

 is a necessity for their full maturity and excellence. Yet there is a 

 happy mean, too, in this, and we may have too little of the first and 

 too much of the last. 



In Germany and France, and in the coast counties of this State, 

 we have, as a rule, an excessive rainfall and a lack of warmth; and 

 in these localities a southern slope may be a necessity to produce a 

 grape of such quality as to make a superior wine. In the interior of 

 our State, these conditions, however, are changed. We have an aver- 

 age rainfall of twelve inches or less (a scant sufficiency) and an ardent 

 sun, at times scorching the foliage and burning the fruit. There, to 

 go on a hillside would be only aggravating the trouble of a lack of 

 moisture and an excess of heat, and a level surface would be a neces- 

 sity, or if a hillside, then a northern exposure would be desirable. 



Grapes will grow in California in all soils that will grow ordinary 

 vegetation, and it is impossible toigive exact information. What may 

 be true in one locality, or for one variety of grapes in that locality, 

 may not hold true in another. Grapes will grow, and produce large 

 crops, in adobe soils, and I am not prepared to say that such grapes 

 are not good. Stiff clay will also grow grapes. The berries will be 

 small and the crop light, yet such grapes are very rich in color, and 

 may make good wine. But I do not wish to plant grapes in either of 

 these soils, if for no other reason than that it would require more than 

 twice the labor to get them and keep them in order. The soil I prefer 

 is sand and gravel, mixed with loam and clay, which easily pulverizes 

 when plowed, for such soil will yield large crops of the best quality of 

 grapes, and can be kept in good culture with a minimum of labor, 

 and will retain moisture if properly cultivated. Of course, I would 

 want this soil to be deep, with no underlying hardpan nor water near 

 the surface, and would always use that which contained the most 

 clay for dark grapes; for, as a rule, the more clay (which means iron) 

 there is, the more color will the grapes contain. 



The crowbar is used by me because it is cheaper, and if care is exer- 

 cised it is as good as the spade. The great secret of success lies in the 

 act of filling the hole, especially from the bottom. If a space is left 

 at the bottom not tilled with earth, then the cutting at that point will 

 mildew. Dry rot will follow, and it is almost a certainty that all of 

 it will die. Nor is it difficult to fill the hole with the crowbar. It 

 only requires a little careful practice in a soil that easily pulverizes, 

 so that the earth will clasp the cutting in every part underground. In 

 adobe, or stiff clay, it becomes a very different process. I have, how- 

 ever, learned a way by which it may be done very easily and effect- 

 ually. Make your hole as usual with the crowbar and insert the 

 cutting. Then take sand dry enough to run easily, and fill your hole 

 with it. This can be done quickly, and almost every cutting will grow. 



When rooted vines are to be planted, trim the roots short enough 

 so that the plants so trimmed will, with ease, go in the hole made by 

 the crowbar. Long roots are no advantage, for where they have been 



