518 Report of the Department of Horticulture of the 



report to give full directions for growing stocks but a few sugges- 

 tions derived from practice in California are printed to forestall 

 questions that will be asked. 



Of the several ways of grafting it is probable that that in which 

 the cion and stock are grafted as cuttings will be found most satis- 

 factory. Bioletti/ a leading authority on viticulture in Califor- 

 nia, compares the various methods of starting a resistant vineyard 

 as follows: 



" Bench grafting cuttings is unhesitatingly recommended for the following 

 reasons: 



" 1. Both stock and scion are young and of the same size. The unions 

 are, therefore, strong and permanent. 



" 2. The grafting is done under conditions favorable to rapid and effective 

 work. 



" 3. The grafting can be done in any weather, and may extend over three 

 or four months. Bench grafting may be done on rainy days when other 

 work is not pressing or cannot be done. 



" 4. The work is more easily supervised. One man who thoroughly under- 

 stands all details of the grafting can oversee the work of several unskilled 

 workmen, which makes it possible to employ cheaper labor for much of the 

 work. 



" 5. The cultural conditions are more easily controlled. There is much 

 less danger of inferior results due to excessively wet or dry weather during 

 the growing season. In the nursery the vines can be cultivated, irrigated, 

 and generally attended to much more perfectly than in the field. 



" 6. A rigid selection of vines for planting can be made, rendering it 

 possible to have nothing in the vineyard but strong plants and perfect 

 unions. 



" 7. As perfect a stand can be obtained in the vineyard the first year in 

 any soil or season as can be obtained when planting the ordinary non- 

 resistant vines. 



" 8. The union of every vine can be placed exactly where we want it. 



" 9. The land w'here the vineyard is to be planted can Ije used for other 

 crops for one year longer than when field grafting is adopted. 



'• 10. All the cultural operations during the first year are much less 

 expensive, as they are spread over a much smaller area of land. Two acres 

 of nursery will produce enough bench grafts to plant one hundred acres of 

 vineyard. 



" In short, starting a resistant vineyard by means of bench grafts is nuich 

 better than by any other method used at present because it is the least 

 costly and gives the best results. This is true whether we produce our own 

 bench grafts or whether we buy them at the present market rate. Growers 

 are earnestly cautioned, however, against planting any bench grafts but 

 the first choice. Second and third choice are little better than field grafts, 

 and many have been offered for sale lately which are sure to give dis- 

 appointment in the vineyard. There are several nurserymen in the State 

 now who are producing No. 1 bench grafts which are equal, and for plant- 

 ing here perhaps superior, to any produced in Europe. 



' Bioletti, California Sta. Bui. 180:142. 1906. 



