5 



the cases. Soil-borings in the most badly affected vineyards showed a 

 layer of many feet of coarse gravel, commencing at two or three feet 

 from the surface. In attempting to irrigate in these places the growers 

 had much difficulty in causing the water to flow to all parts of the vine- 

 yard. A large stream of water would take many hours in passing a 

 few yards, on account of the extremely leachy nature of the soil, which 

 allowed the water to escape downward. 



Age of Vines. It is to be noted that none of the dying vines are 

 young. All the vineyards examined which were less than eight years 

 old showed no indications of failing or dying. All cases of young vines 



PLATE 2. Two HEALTHY TROUSSEAU VINES IN A VINEYARD OF DEAD MATARO VINES. 



failing which were examined were plainly due to lack of cultivation, 

 phylloxera, sunburn, or other well-known and adequate causes. 



Another fact worth mentioning in this connection is that old vines 

 which were grafted just before the three dry years, are now nearly or 

 quite healthy. In one vineyard a block of old Mataro grafted with 

 Verdal about 1896 shows strong growth and no signs of failing, while a 

 contiguous block of the same variety and age, but un grafted, is prac- 

 tically dead. 



Behavior of Different Varieties. A great deal of difference was every- 

 where noted in the behavior of different varieties of vines. The most 

 seriously affected were Mataro, Zinfandel, Rose of Peru, Mission, 

 Emperor, and Burger. Varieties less affected were Grenache, Muscat, 



