RESISTANT VINEYARDS GRAFTING, PLANTING, CULTIVATION. 93 



is not mere theory, but is substantiated by the numerous cases where 

 dying resistant vineyards have been examined and this condition found. 

 This condition is particularly common with field-grafted vines. 



There are several ways in which the union between resistant stock 

 and bearing scion can be brought about: (1) The scion cuttings may 

 be grafted on the resistant cuttings or on resistant roots in the work- 

 shop before planting in the nursery. This is called "bench grafting." 

 (2) The resistant cuttings may first be rooted in the nursery and then 

 the next year grafted in place without removal. This is called "nursery 

 grafting." (3) The resistant cuttings or roots may be planted 

 directly in the vineyard and then the next year or some subsequent 

 year they may be grafted. This is called "field grafting," "vineyard 

 grafting," or "grafting in situ." 



Each method has its advocates and its uses, but the. method of most 

 general application and that which has given the most general satisfac- 

 tion is the first. The last method is practised with success only where 

 the conditions are exceptionally favorable, and even there is gradually 

 being rejected in favor of the first by nearly every grower who has 

 tried both methods. The reasons for this will be discussed after the 

 various methods have been described. 



I. THE NURSERY. 



Choice and Preparation of the Soil. The high cost of grafted vines 

 is due partly to the skill and labor necessary in producing them, but, 

 also, in a great degree, to the large number of grafts which fail to grow 

 or to make a satisfactory union in the nursery. If we allow $10 per 

 thousand for the cuttings used as stock and scion, and $15 per thousand 

 for making and growing the grafts, they could be raised profitably for 

 $35 per thousand if every one grew and made a good grafted vine. 

 Probably on the average not more than fifty per cent of the grafts made 

 are sufficiently perfect in growth, union, and root to be sold, and they 

 must therefore bring $60 or more per thousand to be raised at a profit. 



While there are many causes for the failure of some of the grafts to 

 grow, probably the most important of these is the nature of the soil 

 in which they are rooted. Any soil which bakes on the top after rain 

 or irrigation will cause the failure of many grafts. If the crust is not 

 broken up, the moisture will escape and the scions dry out. If the 

 crust is broken, many of the scions will be disturbed and fail to unite. 

 A soil which becomes very compact will spoil many grafts by preventing 

 the shoot from pushing its way through. Stony soils destroy many 

 grafts in similar ways. If the soil dries out too easily and quickly many 

 scions will fail to unite. Wet soils are even worse. A soil which remains 



