Imperial Valley press and the Imperial press., 1906-12-22
GRAPE GROWING
With Special Reference to Imperial
 Valley

in California. The first vineyards were of the so called Mission grapes, planted bv the Mission fathers when California was first visited by them. Junipero Serra, like Johnny Appleseed in the legend of the Ohio Valley settlement. carried seeds in his pockets. The seeds were probbaly brought by the Franciscan fathers from Mexico from vines previ- ously imported from Spain. But the grape did not interest commercially un- til the ffties, when the leading Euro pean varieties were introduced. Sever al consignments of cuttings and roots were imported the following years, until now California has imported several hundred varieties of wine, raisin and ta- ble grapes. Experiment and trial are proving which are the valuable ones commercially.
 The question is asked: Can we grow grapes in the Imperial Valley? The first question should be: Will it pay to grow grapes in the Imperial Valley? If so, what variety or varieties2 Experi- ence in the past in California has shown that a suitable and safe market is the first thing to consider. If wine grapes could be grown successfully they would have to compete with the wine interests of the state and elsewhere. If the rais- in should be grown it would have to compete with other raisins and it is a question how much the acreage could profitably be increased. The few trials of the last three years at Thermal and in the southern part of Imperial Valley show that the grape crop is very early, with a ripe crop in some varieties as early as June 18th. If this be .true, there would seem to be opportunity flor a table grape to go on the market almost without competition. The table grape which has so far shown greatest promise is the Malaga. If the Malaga grape can be successfully grown and put. on the market with small competition, it prom ises to be very profitable and will great ly increase the value of the ground upon which it is grown. Grapes ill other parts of California that are considered successful are giving crop worth from $50 to $500 per acre per year and the land isvalued at from $50 to $500 per acre. Alfalfa land of first quality in the same locality is valued at from $50 to $2OO per acre, with crop worth from $25 to Sl00 per year. So it would seem that more intensive culture is certainly worth trying; in small way at first, in- ,creasing the acreage as the venture proves it's worth.
 Climate-In growing grapes climate is an important matter. Climate in .cludes amount of sunshine, humidity and range of temperature. Foran early grape almost continuous sunshine in the spring and early summer is required with low humidity and high tempera- ture. Low temperature in winter is de- sired, so long as it does not go below Is . degrees Farenheit, as it gives the vine a period of complete dormancy and rest and causes the falling of the leaves. The freedom of the air from moisture gives grape with skin of fine texture and whitish bloom, which increases the stability. Tue ripening season should be free from rain. These conditions prevail in Imperial Valley.
 Soil-The Malaga grape loves fine sandy loam, especially one of granite origin, which is not less than ten feet in depth and which has perfect drainage. Experiments at the University of Cali fornia Experiment Station at Tulare show that the grape will standssome al- kali, but there should not be.more than two, ,tenths per cent. and it is better if there is none or only trace. The white grape does not do so we'll in the clay soils. The raisin and Malaga grapes of Fresno county grow best in fine sandy foam, which is there called white ash.
 stock-The practice in selecting grape stock is unfortunately too often Ffrom anything that will make cuttings. kThis is just as bad as to select fora horse any thing that goes on four legs, has upper
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