490 Transactions of the 



to keep the weeds from getting too high and going to seed, instead 

 of for the purpose of keeping the soil mellow and damp. Your com- 

 mittee submit the above few suggestions, hoping they may be of 

 some benefit to some of the vine growers, and at some future time 

 may take occasion to give the subjects touched upon a more extended 

 consideration. We would recommend that the asseciation take steps 

 to secure as much as possible the individual experiences of growers 

 in different localities and on different soils, for publication for the 

 general good. 



I. N. HOAG. 



OBSEEVATIONS ON THE PLANTING AND PKUNING OF 



THE VINE. 



At the threshold of successful viniculture our attention is called to 

 the selection of the most advantageous location for a vineyard. With 

 the long, diy, warm season of California, an exposure due south is not 

 indispensable: a variation to the east or west is far preferable, and even 

 a northern gentle slope may be admissible. Success here depends more 

 on the quality of the soil as being deep, rich, friable, or easily worked; 

 of sufficient descent for natural drainage, and well sheltered from the 

 prevailing heavy winds. A subsoil of broken, decompdsed slate, lime, 

 or sandstone is always preferable to stiff, impervious clay. Our virgin 

 soil, formed from the attributes of surrounding mountains, contains suf- 

 ficient pabulum for plant food: only the excess of any one, either clay, 

 lime, or sandstone, has its particular character of being more or less 

 retentive, or favoring the absorption of moisture. The natural growth 

 on any given spot is the best criterion of its quality. 



The selection of certain varieties of grapes to be planted must be 

 influenced by the uses contemplated. Some are most suitable for table 

 use in the fresh state, or dried for laisins; others for converting into 

 brandy; others for wine; but for whatever intended, it cannot be lost 

 sight of that only the best varieties of either class should be chosen. 

 Each variety possesses a distinct character, which is certainly modified 

 by the soil and climatic peculiarities of a district; still it retains its dis- 

 tinct type of superiority. It is onh* of late that, by the enterprise, 

 perseverance, and good judgment of the pioneers of viniculture, among 

 whom the lamented Col. Aug. Haraszthy Avas preeminent, we are enabled 

 to make our selections from the whole range of cultivated vines in all 

 lands, and to adopt for our own the experience gained during centuries 

 of European viniculture, thus placing California on an equal footing 

 with the best and oldest. 



The preparation of the soil claims our careful attention. If not pre- 

 viously cultivated, it ought to remain in the Summer fallow one season, 

 and in the Spring be cross-plowed deeply and subsoiled; if naturally 

 mellow and sandy, a partial subsoiling in the future rows of vines will 

 answer, but it is always upon the thoroughness of the work that a thrifty 

 growth of the vine depends. The rows should be perfectly straight. 

 with broad avenues conveniently located for access. If the piece of 

 ground is of irregular shape, a base line is to be surveyed on the longest 

 diameter, and another at right augles to it on one corner, as a basis for 

 extending parallel lines with perfect accuracy. By stretching a line 

 and measuring along it with a suitable jdoIc, the places for the holes can 



