SMALL FRUITS. 55 



and an abundance of sunshine, comes about as near the ideal condition as 

 could well be named. " Wherever we find the ague an habitual guest 

 with the inhabitants we need not look for healthy grape vines, but high 

 table lands and hillsides, with their dry atmosphere and cool breezes, and 

 on gentle slopes these are among the best locations for the culture of the 

 grape," says an authority. Again he says : " A good soil for a vineyard 

 should be a dry, calcareous loam, sufficiently deep, (say three feet,) loose 

 and friable, draining itself readily. A sandy, yet moderately rich soil 

 is better adapted to most varieties than heavy clay. New soils, both 

 granite and limestone, made up by nature of decomposed stone and leaf 

 mould, are to be preferred to those that have long been in cultivation, 

 unless these have been put in clever, and rested a few years. If you 

 have such a location and soil, seek no further, ask no chemist to analyze 

 its ingredients, but go at once to preparing the soil." 



The chief points to be observed right here are, that all varieties do 

 not succeed equally well on any one soil, nor under the same treatment 

 with respect to irrigation. Neither can the same rules apply, except in a 

 general sense, with reference to pruning. For this reason no discussion 

 of details will here be attempted. All agree that the soil should be 

 deeply plowed or spaded, well drained, with a sponge-like sub-soil that 

 holds moisture well, and should be of a uniform texture and richness so 

 far as possible. 



It is safe to say that in all parts of Colorado, barring altitude, soils 

 may be found upon which the grape will thrive. Those localities that 

 seem particularly well adapted to its culture are situations like much of 

 Fremont and Boulder Counties, where the soil is largely of decomposed 

 granite and limestone, and where a modifying influence is exerted on 

 local surroundings by the presence of the foot-hills. 



IRRIGATION. 



Twice, at most, during fruitage, would meet the requirements of this 

 on some soils ; while on the light, sandy soil, with quick drainage (where 

 those kinds inclined to be late in maturing are often planted), once a 

 week might not be excessive. With Concord and Brighton vines on this 

 kind of soil, I have found it necessary to use water freely at this period. 

 It is a mistake to advise the use of little or no water for the grape in our 

 climate, without any regard to the character of the soil and drainage. I 

 say again, that where one application of water might be sufficient on a 



