CULTURAL METHODS FOR THE GRAPE IN NEW YORK 1293 



Cover 



The vineyard should be sown to a cover crop at this time, 

 either by broadcasting and dragging in with the spring-tooth har- 

 row or else by being drilled in. Before sowing, it is well to 

 watch the weather maps closely and to sow just before or just 

 after rain. If good cultivation has been given, a good seed bed 

 will result. Mammoth clover, hairy vetch, Canada field peas, 

 cow-horn turnips, and winter wheat mixed with cow-horn turnips 

 can be used. Mammoth clover and hairy vetch have proved very 

 satisfactory and make ideal nitrogenous cover crops for the 

 vineyard. 



In addition to furnishing and liberating plant food in the 

 soil, the organic matter derived from a cover crop makes for a 

 better mechanical condition and conserves moisture. A crop 

 growing late in the fall, after the vines have ceased growing, 

 utilizes nitrates which are being formed at that time and which 

 would otherwise be lost by leaching. Especially does this hold 

 true on knolls and hillsides liable to washing. There can be no 

 tioubt that the grape does best under frequent and thorough 

 fill.ige, which means that organic matter and humus are being 

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

 iy the use of stable manure or cover crops. 



Fertilizers 



The fertilizers required by the grape are still largely a mat- 

 ter of experiment ; and, until this phase is thoroughly worked out, 

 the grower must rely on his vines to show him what is needed. 

 Even should the wood growth indicate a lack of nitrogen, how- 

 ever, it would not necessarily indicate that more nitrogen should 

 be added to the soil, since a sufficient quantity might already be 

 present and yet be unavailable 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. No authentic evidence is at hand to show that 

 grape yields have been increased by its use, nor can it be said 

 that wood growth has been increased by its use alone. Certain 



