The Placer herald., 1874-10-10
ROUSE Asp FARM.

"grub" the land Much Of it is covercl
with heavy growth Of uuderbrush and
poison oak. Clearing laud is hard work,
especially when done ty hand. Three years
ago the writer bad come experience in this
line. The land was situated in 'ie foo'-hills
East Of Santa Clara, and it was to be cleared
and planted ia yoes. The poison oak stood
30 thick that it wns Impossible 10 crawl
through it. This was the very reason we
selected the land for vines, knowing it to be
rich aud alluvial in its nature. When the
6rst rains came we procured large log
chain, and taking a good old horse, who had
crossed tue plains in early days and WAS not
given to skittishness, we commenced ope-
rations. The chain was put around bunch
Of bruh and the hook placed around the
chain and back into link, forming kind Of
moose. Tie ground icing soft, the horse
had no difficulty ia pulling tie bushes out
by the roots. The whole twenty acres was
cleared IL ihis manner, r.d ia much lers
time than would have been required for
eight or ten men with grubbng hoes. One
man could keep up with the horse in cutting
out the smaller busles. With sapIings,
We simply dug down and cut off the larger
roofs and they were then pulled up in the
same manner. Where it is required TO re-
move stumps from the ground the tree should
never be cut down, as that destroys all
chance Of obtaining leverage. Dig around
the tree fcr "a space Of ten feet, and cut of
the roots, unless they lie close to the surface,
wteu !, is policy to dig them up, and save
breaking plow every year thereafter, and
when the tree is released, fasten a large rope
to the top Of TIC trunk and hitch on team.
The weight of tho tree md slse Ike powerful
leverage will snap very large roots.
In planting ground that has been cleared,
the young shoots that spring up The first
year from the broken roots left in the ground
will he quite numerous and troublesome; /;
but IL they are cut off close to the ground
with hoe they will not trouble much the
second year, as roots without tops soon die.
Wherever there is thick growth Of poison
oak, it is just as certain that the ground is
rich and we'll adapted to the growth Of the
vine. In clearing ground for pasture, trees
and saplings should be carefully trimmed
ard left standing, as they afford pleasant
shade for stock in the middle of the day.
A pasture without shade is not worthy OF
the name, for il milch cows---no matter how
gssA the feed-are obliged 10 stand in the
hct sun during the middle Of the day and
fight the flies, the amount Of milk will be
greatly decreased from what is would other
wise have been. If Il 9 land is to be planted
to vineyard or orchard, however, all trees
should he dug up, as they shade the vines,
and in time, will have to be removed, ruin
ing large amount Of vines when they fall
Foor- HILL GRAPES LONG vs.. SHORT
PRUNING. j. h. Nickerson, whose
orchard and vineyard is in the foothills near
Lincoln. Placer county, took eight premi-
ums on grapes at the State Fair. Mr.. N.
informs the Bulletin reporter that he has
about 100, 900 growing vines in his vineyard.
comprising 276 varieties. He considers the
success that has attended his efforts at vini.
culture is an illustration Of what may be
done by any person who has the will. Ten
years ago lac knew nothing of the business,
but having engaged in it, he thinks he now
understands st, and is anxious that others
should have the benefit Of his experience.
He is Of the opinion that the viniculturists
are all wrong IN following the European pro-
cess Of pruning vines back to one and half
and two eyes, and he makes his present ex-
hibit. ~dIacM certainly is n most interesting
one, to prove it. Mr. Nickerson thinks 'h.,
twelve or fifteen eyes, or more, should be
allowed to remain on the old branches.
One Of his specimens Malva,ia-a
branch from a two-year.old vine, has upon
it punches Of grapes weighing 121 pounds.
Mr.. Nckerson says that If he had pruned
this vine back to about two eyes ten OF
twelve pounds Of grapes would have been
the most he would have realized. And to
prove that his method Of allowing the old
laterals to renal, good length does not
lessen the size of the grapes Lor deteriorate
the buuches, he exhibits tunch Of the
Tokay variety weighing eight pounds. Mr.
Nickerson has branches from the White
Portugal. Black Hamburg, White Malaga.
and several other varieties with grapes
hanging on them weighing from 80 TO 100
pounds, in further proof of his statement.
The Land upon which Mr. Nickerson has
his vineyard is toot-hil land. but all his
grapes are raised without irrigation. lie
believes that. with proper cultivation, grapes
can be grown in the San Jou, uin valley, OF
other similarly-situated districts. in the
same manner without irrigation. Mr.. Nick
erson, in 1872 made 100, 900 gallons ol
wine, but in 1878, when the frost nipptd
the young shoots, he cnly made 10000
gallons.
Mr.. Bamber, of Placerville. FL Dorado
county, has fine exhibit Of grapes besides
those belonging TO Mr. Nickerson. Mr..
Bamber, however, differs from Mr.. Nicker-
son. lie believes in pruning back close,
and points to the enormous size Of his grapes