REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION 107 



GRAPE GROWING IN IMPERIAL VALLEY. 



By WALTER E. PACKARD, 

 El Centre, California. Read by Mr. F. T. Swett. 



The extreme climatic conditions in Imperial Valley constitute a natural 

 resource which makes possible the development of a practical monopoly in 

 the production of certain specialties. The early springs, high summer tem- 

 peratures, low humidity and abundant sunshine favor the planting of ear!y 

 fruits and vegetables, out-of-season crops and special crops, such as dates, 

 which are especially adapted to the particular conditions of this section. 

 Early table grapes hold an important place in this list of favored crops. 

 From the beginning of the settlement of the valley much attention has been 

 given to the table grape industry, which promises unusually profitable 

 returns. 



The first commercial planting was made in 1904 by Mr. W. S. Corwin. 

 The vineyard, which ultimately consisted of fifty-five acres, included twenty 

 different varieties of grapes common in California. The vineyard plantings 

 rapidly increased until the total area in vines in 1910 approximated 1000 

 acres. Since that time the acreage has not increased materially, as the 

 number of new plantings has been about offset by the acreage pulled out. 

 In 1914 one hundred and fifty-two cars of grapes were shipped out of the 

 valley. 



It seems strange, at first thought, that the plantings should decrease at 

 all in a section so generally favorable to the industry. A broad statement, 

 often made, that these vineyards which have been dug up did not pay, is 

 partially true but very misleading. Several contributing factors to the 

 failure of the vineyards to yield a profit should be named as the primary 

 causes of their abandonment. The vineyards under good management and 

 favorable conditions have proved to be ver> profitable, pernaps more profit- 

 able than any other industry established in the region up to the present 

 time. 



A vineyard to be a success in Imperial Valley should be planted on sandy 

 or sandy loam soil free from alkali. Choice of unsuitable soil in the early 

 planted vineyards has been the main obstacle to the development of a profit- 

 able enterprise in certain cases. There are several types of soil in this 

 section, some being well adapted to the production of fruits and vegetables 

 and others only suited to the production of field crops. Grape vines growing 

 on clay or clay loam soils produce an abundant vegetative growth, a growth 

 which is really remarkable as compared to the growth of vires in other 

 parts of the State. A one-year-old cane will often be as large as a two- 

 year growth in other sections. This vigorous vegetative growth is quite 

 naturally accompanied by a dense mass of green leaves, much darker in 

 color than those found on sandy soil with the same variety. The grapes 

 are usually a darker green also, and often lack the attractive amber color 

 desired in white table grapes. The setting of first crop is comparatively 

 small, although the second and third crops are often quite large. Three 

 and four crop settings are quite common with most varieties tried. The 

 grapes on these large vines are usually later than on the vines grown en 



