418 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



cult to fertilize my grapes when they need it, as the rows are too 

 narrow to drive through with a wagon. With this plan it can be 

 easily done, and have the same number of vines to the acre as if set 

 eight feet apart, and I do not think it would be any detriment to the 

 crop. 



I will say here that I prefer a south or east slope for grapes, and 

 some protection on the north and west is desirable, but not essential. 

 The rows should always run parallel with hill or slope, to prevent 

 washing. 



If the rows run east and west, I always train the vine to the 

 east, and if north and south, to the north. 



In planting the vines we will start with the first vine on the 

 east or south side of the plat, as the case may be, where the first vine 

 is to stand as shown by the marks, or wire, and dig a sloping hole, 

 deep and broad enough so the roots can be well spread, and as far 

 down as they will reach. 



Place the vine in the hole two or three inches deeper than it 

 stood in the nursery, spread and straighten the roots carefully, and 

 work some of the soil among them until well covered. Fill up the 

 hole, packing the soil firmly with your feet and then throw an inch 

 or so of loose soil over the top to prevent evaporation. 



Pass to the next vine and set in the same way, always being 

 careful that the top of the vine is just where it should be, and so 

 continue until all are set. Then level the ground with the harrow. 



IRRIGATION. 



C. W. SPICKKRMAN. EXCELSIOR. 



In my opinion, irrigation in Minnesota will have- to be experi- 

 mented with considerably before it can be brought to a state of per- 

 fection. 



Water should be at command equal to a good shower and then 

 applied so to get at the roots of the plants to be irrigated. If this 

 cannot be done more harm will probably be done than good. When 

 plants begin to get dry the feeding fibers or roots near the surface 

 die or become dormant, and at this time if a small amount of water 

 be applied the roots put out a new growth and then for the want of 

 more water die, which exhausts the plant instead of benefiting it. 

 Also where a small amount of water is used so it does not reach 

 down to moisture below it does not form a chain or connection with 

 moisture so to produce capillary attraction, and the hot sun coming 

 down causes a hot vapor or steam which seems to cook the plants, 

 making them wilted and sickly looking, and later on if it comes on 

 to rain they do not seem to do well. Better have one plant on one 



