202 



UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT STATION. 



For most of the varieties now 

 grown in Imperial County the open 

 vase form of vine is an excellent 

 one. In this form, six to eight arms, 

 arranged symmetrically around the 

 head or top of the 15 to 18 inch 

 trunk, spread out in all directions, 

 rising at an angle of about 45 to 

 30 from the vertical. This form 

 makes it possible to cultivate close 

 up to the vine without injuring it 

 and arranges the bearing wood in 

 such a way that the bunches are 

 well spaced without interference 

 and easy to get at. 



This or any other suitable form 

 cannot be attained without the use 

 of stakes. Where the vines make 

 a large growth the first year, the 

 stakes should be placed when the 

 vines are planted. The way of 

 handling the young vines to get 

 them into the desired shape is de- 

 scribed in Bulletin 193, pp. 146 to 

 155. 9 



Irrigation. Among the most difficult problems are those connected 

 with the proper irrigation of the vineyards. 



The desirability of deep and not too frequent irrigation of young 

 vines has already been pointed out. It is equally necessary for bear- 

 ing vines. Some growers of small vineyards keep their vines irrigated 

 almost constantly. Other vineyards are left five months without 

 irrigation. The proper number will depend in any particular case 

 principally on the position of the roots. With deep rooted vines three 

 or four thorough irrigations during the year seem to be all that are 

 necessary, providing the cultivation is well done. 



The best time for these irrigations is perhaps not yet determined. 

 In this respect two important points should be kept in mind. 



First : Any rapid and considerable addition to the moisture of the 

 soil during the last stages of ripening injures the shipping qualities 

 of the grapes. The grapes become watery, surcharged with sap and 



Fig. 30. Young vine staked and 

 properly started. 



Bulletin 193, Agricultural Experiment Station, Berkeley. California. 



