536 Report of the Department of Horticulture of the 



tillage, and this means that organic matter and humus are being 

 rapidly burned out of the soil. Hence the loss must be supplied 

 by the use of stable manure, cover crops', or organic commercial 

 fertilizer. 



Intercropinng. — Manv growers grow potatoes, cabbage, beans, 

 etc., between the rows of the young vineyard for the first two years, 

 while others interplant blackberries, raspberries, currants, goose- 

 berries and strawberries for indefinite periods. Observation shows 

 that neither of these plans is in keeping with the best vineyard 

 practices ; and both the primary and secondary crops suffer as 

 the result of such systems. The only crop that should be allowed 

 in the vineyard is the cover crop. 



Fertilizers. — The fertilizers required by the grape are still 

 largely a matter of experiment, and until this phase is thoroughly 

 worked out, the grower must rely on his vines to tell him what is 

 needed. Even should the wood growth indicate a lack of nitrogen, 

 it would not indicate that more nitrogen should be added to the 

 soil, as there might be a sufficiency already present, yet unavail- 

 able by reason of poor tillage, lack of drainage and other faulty 

 practices. 



Manuring. — The above statements will apply equally well to 

 the use of stable manure. It is probable that stable manure does 

 produce vigorous wood growth in some instances and it is just as 

 probable that its direct fertilizing value has been overestimated. 

 Its greatest value lies in its power to improve the mechanical con- 

 dition of the soil by making it more porous and increasing its 

 water-holding capacity. 



Spraijing. — .Spraying for grape insects has been fully discussed 

 in Bulletin No. 381 of this Station, so that nothing need be added 

 here. Everyone growing grapes should procure a copy of this 

 bulletin. 



No person should attempt to grow grapes for pleasure or for 

 profit, unless he is willing to and can give them proper care. The 

 history of grape growing has been, and is to-day, one of ups and 

 doAvns, and what the specific reasons are for the fluctuations is 

 unknown. Possibly a combination of causes is responsible. In 

 every region of decline there are many vineyards that are holding 

 up to the standard. Why ? In all such vineyards the grower has 

 given personal supervision and intelligent care and has not at- 

 tempted to get a great yield one year at the expense of none the 



