REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PT< PLICATION- . . - . ; .. 101 



Irrigation. 



The grape is one of the most drought-resisting fruits grown in New 

 Mexico. On sandy soil from three to four irrigations during the season will be 

 enough to mature the crop. It is not a good practice to irrigate late. It tends 

 to produce too rank a growth of canes and retard the ripening of the fruit. 

 During the winter, if it is very dry, it is advisable to irrigate the vineyard 

 once. This may be done just before or immediately after the vines are hilled 

 up. The first irrigation in the spring is given just immediately after the 

 pruning is done. The frequency of the subsequent irrigations will vary 

 somewhat according to the nature of the season and the kind of soil. As a 

 rule these irrigations are given from four to six weeks apart. The last irriga- 

 tion is usually given in the early part of August. The flooding system is 

 practiced in the irrigation of grapes. 



Winter Protection. 



The vinifera grape in New Mexico is somewhat tender and is subject 

 to winter injury. It is necessary to cover the vines up every winter. While 

 the vines may not be injured every year, the vineyardist cannot tell just when 

 the vines may be winter killed and in order to be on the safe side it is advis- 

 able to cover them up every year. If the winter is very moist, and if it rains 

 or snows considerably, the chances are that there will be little or no winter 

 injury to the vines. On the other hand, however, if it happens to be a dry 

 winter it is almost certain that the canes will be killed back. 



The winter protection of the vines consists in drawing the dirt up to the 

 vines and building a mound to the proper height. If the soil is quite sandy 

 it is advisable to irrigate before covering. If it happens to be a pretty heavy 

 soil, it is better to do the irrigating after the covering of the vines. Early 

 in the spring the dirt is removed from the vines by first plowing as much of 

 it away as possible and then using a hoe or shovel to remove what is left. 



It is also advisable to uncover the vines early before they bud out and the 

 base buds have started to swell. If the uncovering of the vines is delayed 

 until the season begins to warm up, the base buds will swell so much that 

 when the soil is removed they are quite likely to be injured. It is customary 

 to uncover the vines about a month before pruning. 



Pruning. 



The method generally practiced by the vinifera grape growers is the one 

 commonly known as pruning to a stump. In the spring, the canes are cut 

 back very severely, leaving from two or three buds. This operation is also 

 delayed just as late as possible in the spring. It is not a good practice to 

 prune early, because the earlier the vines are pruned the more liable they 

 are to be injured by the late spring frost. 



Insects and Diseases. 



At the present time the vineyards have been comparatively free from 

 serious pests and diseases. The worst insect pest that the vineyardist has to 

 deal with is the grape leaf hopper, w r hich sometimes causes considerable 

 trouble. This, however, can be eradicated by the proper use of the "Black 

 Leaf 40" solution, together with the use of the hopper-doser. 



