MANAGING THE SOIL 



503 



of the gang. The other member prunes the top to two or three 

 buds and cuts back straggling roots. He then shakes the vine 

 to spread the root system, presses it against the bottom of the 

 hole, and packs the soil as it is shoveled in. The whole opera- 

 tion may be done more quickly than it can be described. 



If the rows have not been plowed, extra men must go ahead 

 to dig the holes or the work must be done as the vines are set. 



The more careful the preparation of the field by plowing 

 and harrowing, the more rapidly will the planting operation 

 go forward. The best cultivation that may be given any crop 

 the first year is that which occurs, if the grower is wise, before 

 the crop goes into the ground. 



9. Managing the Soil. Thorough cultivation is the pass- 

 word to success after planting. The grape comes into leaf late 

 in the spring. It develops a tremendous foliage in a very short 

 period, in addition to producing the crop. The need of favor- 

 able growth conditions is apparent. Grape roots are relatively 

 close to the surface. Moisture must be abundant and the soil 

 in excellent physical condition. All this calls for frequent and 

 thorough tillage. 



Procedure: 



(a) Cultivating the soil. 

 (6) Growing intercrops. 



(c) Growing cover crops. 



(d) Fertilizing the vines. 



V 



(a) Cultivating the Soil. In early spring, before the buds 

 have started, plow away from the rows in order that oppor- 

 tunity may be given to clean the ground thoroughly beneath 

 the vines. The three-gang vineyard plow (Fig. 199) meets 

 the requirements. It should be run no deeper than is necessary 

 to turn the furrow — from 3 to 4 inches. For the first two or 

 three years, deeper plowing is permissible in an endeavor to 

 force the vines to root more deeply, though how much is ac- 

 complished in this direction is debatable. On light soils fiee 



