MANAGING THE SOIL 



505 



(b) Growing Intercrops. Intercrops that require cultiva- 

 tion have a place in the vineyard during the first season. Select 

 the one that fits best in the rotation and the system of farm 

 management. It may well be field or sweet corn, beans, or 

 some of the garden crops. Perhaps the best feature of the 

 intercrop is that it makes probable more thorough cultivation 

 of the vineyard than would otherwise be given. It should be 

 recognized, however, that, 

 from the standpoint of the 

 vineyard itself, its cultiva- 

 tion through the cultiva- 

 tion of intercrops is an 

 expensive way to get the 

 job done. The income from 

 the crop may not make up 

 the difference in cost, to 

 say nothing of giving a 

 profit. The grower must 

 decide which, for his con- 

 ditions, is the better way. 



(c) Growing Cover 

 Crops. Many vineyards are 

 productive thirty or forty 

 years from planting, and a 

 life in excess of sixty years 

 is not uncommon. This is 

 a long time for the effects of intensive tillage to accumulate. 

 One of these effects is the gradual exhaustion of the supply 

 of organic matter. The soil '^burns out,'' creating an unfavor- 

 able medium for crop production. This occurs eventually 

 even with the best of soils, unless remedial measures are 

 employed. 



Manure may be applied where available, as indicated under 

 fertilizers. Cover crops can be grown to help keep the soil 

 loose and friable. 



Fig. 200. The grape hoe may be 

 thrown toward or away from the vines 

 quickly by manipulating the left 

 handle. The shovel on the right may 

 be reversed to throw the soil toward 

 the vines. A spring-tooth attachment 

 between the disk and the shovel is 

 also available. 



