488 Transactions op the 



SELECTING CUTTINGS. 



"Whethei' cuttings are to be set direct in the field or be rooted in the 

 bed, much care and judgment is required in selecting and preparing 

 them for setting. The butt cuttings, or the ends of the cane next the 

 old wood ; are always preferable, as a less change is required for such 

 cuttings to become rooted vines. Those having short joints are prefer- 

 able to those with long joints. Never use suckers for cuttings. Cut- 

 tings for planting direct in the yard should be from eighteen to twenty 

 inches long, while a foot is long enough for rooting in the bed. In 

 either case the butt of the cutting should be cut off close below a joint 

 so as to have no dead wood below where the lower roots form and put- 

 out. The top of the cutting should be cut off at least half an inch above 

 the upper joint so as to insure the growth of the butt at this joint. Both 

 these places should be cut with care to prevent jamming or splitting 

 the end of the cane — and very smoothly, so the wound will heal quickly. 

 If much time is to intervene between the time the cuttings are prepared 

 and the time of setting them, they should be kept in a very damp place, 

 and some recommend placing the butts of the bundles in living water or 

 burying them in the ground and covering them entirely. The latter 

 practice would seem the most natural, and will facilitate the healing of 

 the cut at the butt end and the change necessary to form roots. 



CULTIVATING. 



There is but one opinion as to the necessity and value of frequent 

 and thorough cultivation of the vineyard. Let the plow and horse-hoe 

 be used without sturfe, keeping the soil thoroughly pulverized and clear 

 of weeds. Each vine should also be hoed well and frequently, so as to 

 keep the weeds all clown and the soil immediately about it mellow and 

 in a lively, moist condition. This should be followed up from year to 

 year, as much of the future value of the vineyard depends on thorough 

 cultivation and rapid healthy growth while young. 



[RRIGATION. 



Irrigation should never be resorted to for the young or old vineyard 

 unless absolutely necessary to insure life and healthy growth, and your 

 committee are of the opinion that good cultivation will secure these 

 ends in all but very few localities in the State. The young vineyard 

 should be treated as it is intended to treat it when older, that its habits 

 may conform to the necessities of its future life. One of the greatest 

 points favorable to the climate of California for vine growing and wine 

 and brandy manufacturing from the, grape, is the absence of rain during 

 the Summer season, thus securing health to the vine and the proper 

 qualities to the grape. Then let us not by irrigation spoil the effects of 

 this so important a condition of nature. 



PRUNING. 



The first year after planting the cutting will need no pruning, nor 

 will the rooted vine, except to lop off any extra suckers or shoots that 

 may start out below the one left at the top to grow. When this has 

 attained a growth of from fifteen to eighteen inches, it should be cut 



