226 Report of State Board of Horticulture. 



set for the top wire. The wires are then stretched tight and fastened at 

 both ends. Then good strong stakes, seven or eight feet long, pointed at 

 one end, are driven firmly into the ground between the vines in the 

 rows. Commencing with the first stalve in the center, between the first 

 and second vine, the next stake comes between the second and third, and 

 so on through the row. Place the stakes edgewise, so that a sharp cor- 

 ner faces the wire, then saw a notch about tliree-fourths of an inch deep, 

 slanting downward for the wire to rest in. These notches must corre- 

 spond in height with the holes in the end posts. Some use staples to 

 fasten the wires. 



THE LOWER WILLAMETTE VALLEY— WEST.* 



No longer ago than 1S98 it was a customary practice for the fruit dealers 

 of Portland to import every fall a few cars of New York grapes. Hap- 

 pily this practice is no longer necessary. A few men have grown grapes 

 in Oregon for many years and witli such success that the culture of this 

 fruit is now becoming general; with a full crop this year (1901), we will 

 have grapes for export. Puget Sound and British Columbia still import 

 Eastern grapes, thus it is seen that there is a nearby market for us to 

 supply. It is quite probable also, that a considerable trade can be de- 

 veloped in California for our Concord grapes, at; this variety is not grown 

 there, nor is there any other variety that will take its place. 



In planting a vineyard gire first attention to selecting a suitable loca- 

 tion. Most any of the hill lands of Western Oregon that have a southern 

 or southwestern exposure and that are sufficiently high to be free from 

 late spring or early autumn frosts, will do. Elevations between two hun- 

 dred and one thousand feet are best, though lower land near the Willam- 

 ette river is just aS good. A very necessary point to keep in mind when 

 making a selection is that the site shall be such that the cold air can 

 settle to the ravine or valley below; this is a great protection against 

 frost, and also, such land is usually naturally well drained. If the 

 drainage is not naturally good then tile it; for a good friable soil is a 

 necessity in grape culture. Should one have no other suitable place, then 

 plant a few vines against the south side of a building or tight board 

 fence. 



PREPARATION AND PLANTING. 



For the grape nothing is better than new land or clover sod; plow deeply; 

 harrow thoroughly; then dig holes for each vine, twenty-four to thirty 

 inches in diameter a.nd sixteen to twenty inches deep, putting the sur- 

 face soil and sod back into the bottom of the hole. Vines should be 

 planted in rows seven or eight feet apart, and eight or ten feet apart in 

 the row. This will require six hundred to eight hundred vines per acre. 



The best time for planting is in April, and one year old vines are to be 

 preferred. When planting trim off all ragged or broken roots and cut back 

 long ones one-half to two-thirds, and cut back the stem to two buds. 



* W. K. Newell. 



