222 Appendix. 



Plants are commonly set in rows, thirty-two or thirty-three inches 

 apart, and from thirteen to fifteen inches apart in the rows, making 

 about 14,000 to the acre. Great care should be taken in preparing the 

 soil for planting. It is absolutely essential that the ground be graded, 

 on account of convenience in irrigation. One who attempts to irrigate 

 without first grading finds himself making water run up hill. The 

 ground should be plowed deep, and harrowed well to get rid of all 

 weeds and make a good plant bed. Thorough cultivation, both with 

 horse and hoe, is essential to successful crop production. The greater 

 portion of this work is done after the picking is over. A shoi't period 

 of rest is commonly allowed after picking, no other attention, perhaps, 

 than watering being given. Then the plants are topped and the weeds 

 cleaned out. The topping aids very materially in clearing out the weeds, 

 stimulates the plants to vigorous growth for the year following, then, 

 during the remainder of the season, they are thoroughly cultivated, 

 watered, and all runners kept cut until some time in October. The 

 five-toothed cultivator is the one in most common use. 



The spring cultivation is not so extensive, consisting of perhaps cul- 

 vating twice, and hoeing once or twice. This should be light, and not 

 so near the plants as to disturb the roots and arrest fruit development. 

 No work should be done among the plants after the fruit begins to set. 

 Irrigate only as the season demands. The irrigation is kept up vigor- 

 ously during the picking season. The proper summer care makes the 

 crop of the succeeding year. 



Plants set in the fall will produce a small picking the next year, and 

 the season following will produce at least a half crop. The third and 

 fourth years are the very best, after which they begin to decline, and 

 should soon be removed. However, on good soil and with proper care, 

 and some fertilizer, plants have produced profitably for seven years. 



Any of the soil of Hood River Valley will produce good berries, equal 

 claim being made for the excellence of those grown on sandy or clayey 

 soils. Clover sod well turned under and properly woi'ked makes a most 

 excellent plant bed and furnishes food material for plant growth; 

 besides, the clover has a tendency to choke out weeds, and leave the soil 

 free fi'om this abominable nuisance. 



HABITS. 



The vines, with proper cai'e, grow to a good size, however, not as 

 large as some of the softer fruited varieties. The fruit is large, of good 

 shape, rounded, and remarkably smooth; the color is a dark, rich red, 

 red to the core. They are of fine texture and extremely firm and 

 slightly tart in taste. The fruit is borne on rather long, stiff stems, 

 thus keeping it clean and free from dirt. The berries are most excellent 

 canners, retaining their shape, dark red color, and delicate flavor to a 

 greater degree of perfection than those of a softer nature commonly 

 grown for nearby markets. 



