TREES AND SHRUBS 327 



growing season. Little water should be applied at flower- 

 ing time and much water at fruiting time. The wood 

 should be allowed to ripen for the fall in comparatively 

 dry soil. Ordinarily, irrigation should be stopped about 

 August 1. Then, in late October or early November, 

 another irrigation may be given, to help produce a better 

 crop the following year. The small fruits should all be 

 irrigated in furrows, and the water should not be allowed 

 to touch the plant. In general, the principles that have 

 been developed with regard to other crops hold with 

 these. 



195. Grape-vines. The grape cannot stand much 

 water. In fact, grape-vines grow without irrigation over 

 a large part of the arid regions where the annual rainfall 

 is 10 to 15 inches. The excessive use of water is the chief 

 cause of the troubles of the vine-growers. Excessive irri- 

 gation causes mildew and similar troubles, and injures the 

 shipping qualities of the grapes. In California, water is 

 withheld from grape-vines even to the point where the 

 leaves begin to fall. Very superior fruit of high sugar 

 content and excellent flavor results. Irrigation is done by 

 furrows. The furrows should be run midway between 

 the rows; for, if they are too near, mildew may set in, 

 and the vines will trail in the mud. In vineyard culture, 

 the rule is to water well when watering and to cultivate 

 several times before the next irrigation. Coit, speaking of 

 conditions in the Imperial Valley, suggests that the last 

 irrigation should be given at the commencement of the 

 ripening period, and that irrigation during the last stages 

 of ripening is dangerous. The grape-vine must be so 

 grown as to have deep roots, which can be done only by 

 the consistent use of moderate quantities of irrigation 

 water. 



