53 



On a twenty acre vineyard most of the work except harvesting can be done 

 by the owner himself. Unless he has had considerable experience, it would be 

 unwise to attempt to handle more. 



In starting a vineyard great care should be used in choosing the planting 

 stock. As a rule one year old rooted vines grown from cuttings carefully 

 selected from healthy, profitable vines should be used. In rich, moist, sandy 

 loam the cuttings may often be planted directly in the field with considerable 

 saving in expense and some in time. In most of the coast regions phylloxera 

 resistant bench grafts must be used. 



The soil should be cleared, levelled where irrigation is needed, and plowed 

 or subsoiled at least twelve inches deep before planting. Great care in train- 

 ing and pruning the young vines for the first three years before they come into 

 bearing is necessary. Stakes must be used from the end of the first year until 

 the vines can support themselves. Some varieties, such as Sultanina, require 

 trellising. Pruning must be done by expert hands and must be adapted to the 

 particular variety. Sulfuring once, twice, or three times during the season is 

 needed to control the Oidium. Special methods of thinning and harvesting 

 are needed for some table grapes. 



A well-managed vineyard may yield a net profit of from $50 to $200 per 

 acre when in full bearing. One which is neglected will often fail to pay running 

 expenses. 



Suitable land can be obtained for from $150 to $250 per acre in small tracts. 

 The cost of planting and care of an ordinary vineyard for the first three years 

 will be about $150. Where resistant vines are used about $40 per acre must 

 be added to this. If the vines are to be trellised like Sultaninas from $25 to 

 $30 per acre must be added. 



The average cultural expenses of a bearing vineyard will seldom be less 

 than $12 per acre per annum and the fixed charges for taxes, depreciation, and 

 interest on the investment will usually exceed $20. The production of shipping 

 grapes perhaps offers the most promising opportunity for profit, but whether 

 the promises will be realized depends on co-operation of the growers in marketing. 



ONION EAISING 

 By S. S. EOGERS, Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology 



The requirements for onions are so exacting that the novice should not 

 undertake the production of onions on a large scale until the requirements of 

 the crop are known and local conditions thoroughly understood There is such 

 an enormous acreage adapted to onion growing in this state that the markets 

 may be easily glutted. Some years the grower may realize a net profit of several 

 hundred dollars per acre and the next season the returns may not be sufficient 

 to meet expenses. 



The largest centers for the production of onion seed are located in the Santa 

 Clara Valley near the city of San Jose and in San Benito County near the 

 town of Hollister. Onions for the market are produced in large quantities in 

 the Imperial Valley and in the vicinity of the larger cities such as San 

 Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Fresno, and Los Angeles. Onions will grow 

 on a variety of soils, but the most favorable is one which holds moisture well 

 although friable enough to be easily cultivated and to allow the proper 



