504 GROWING GRAPES 



from stones, the disk harrow may be substituted for the gang 

 plow, but the plow meets with greater favor for most con- 

 ditions. 



After plowing, cultivate thoroughly with the harrow. Fin- 

 ish next to the vines with the grape hoe, and even wdth the 

 hand hoe. The grape or horse hoe, or ^^take out" (Fig. 200) , 

 is a tool which means much in the saving of time and in finish- 

 ing cultivation well about the vines. Once the art of its 



manipulation is mastered, 

 it becomes the grower's best 

 friend. 



Through the summer, 

 work the soil gradually 

 back toward the rows until 

 the ground is level, using 

 the spring-tooth and disk 

 harrows set at shallow 

 depth. If drainage is a 

 factor, ridge the soil in the 

 rows slightly at the last cul- 

 tivation, using the attach- 

 ment on the grape hoe to 

 do this. As part of the 

 final cultivation, the gang 

 plow may again be used, 

 this time throwing the soil 

 toward the vines. In the young vineyard, cultivation may 

 continue to August 15 or even later, but in the bearing vine- 

 yard tillage should cease from July 15 to 30, depending on 

 the season and the crop. If the season is dry and the crop 

 large, prolong cultivation to conserve the moisture. If mois- 

 ture is abundant, discontinue cultivation to induce maturing 

 of wood and fruit. It is essential that the wood shall go into 

 winter well ripened; otherwise injury from freezing, with its 

 unfavorable effect on crop prospects of the following year, is 

 likely to occur. 



Fig. 199. The vineyard gang plow is 



a very useful implement in grape 

 growing. It should usually turn a 

 furrow from 3 to 4 inches deep. 

 Tractor gangs may be used on level 

 ground. 



