The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1907-02-21

ually has more time for the work.
Spring, no doubt, is the better time
for setting.
Plants are generally sat In rows, 81
or 80 inches apart, and from l3 to 10
inches apart ia the rows, making
abont IA, 900 to the ecre. Great care
should be taken in preparing the soil
or planting. 1t ia absolutely essent-
ial that the ground be graded on ac-
count OF convenience of irrigation.
One who attempts to irrigate without
first grading fiuds himself making
water run up hill. The ground should
be plowed deep, and narrowed we'll to
get rid Of all weeds and make good
plant bed. Thorough cultivation,
both with horse and hoe, is essential
co successful crop production. The
greater portion OF this work Is done
after the picking is over. A short
period OF rest is commonly allowed
after picking, no other attention per-
haps, than watering being given.
Then the plants are topped and the
weeds cleaned out. The topping aids
very materially in clearing out the
weeds, Stimulates the plants to vigor-
ous growth for the year following,
then, during the remainder Of the
season, they are thoroughly cultivat-
cd, watered, and all runners kept cut
unit | some time In October. The FIVE
toothed cult'vator Ia the one In most
common use.
The spring cultivation 10 not so ex-
tensiv 70, consisting Of perhaps cult
waiting twice, and hoeing once or
twice. This should be light and not
so near the plants as to disturb the
roots and arrest fruit development.
No work should be done among the
plants after the fruit begins to set.
lrrigate only rs the season demands.
The irrigation Is kept up vigorously
during the picking season. The pro.
per summer care makes the crop OF
the succeeding year.
Plants set In the fall will produce a
small picking the next year, and the
season following will pi oduoe at least
half crop. The third and fourth
years are the very best, after which
they begin to decline, and should
soon be removed. However, on good
soil and with proper care, and some
| fertilizer, plants have produced
profitably for seven years.
Any Of the soil of Hocd River val
Icy will produce good berries, equal
claim being made for the excellence
OF those grown on sandy or clayey
soils. Glover sod we'll turned under
and properly worked makes mos,
excellent plant bed and furnishes
food material for plant growth; be-
sides, the clover has tendency ia
choke out weeds, and leave the sol
free from this sbominable nuisance.
Habits.
The vines, with proper care, grow
to a good size, however, not as larg
az some of the softer fruited varieties.
The fruit is large, Of good shape
rounded, and remarkably smooth; thu
color Ia a dark, rich red, red to the
core. They are of fine texture anG
extremely firm and slightly tart IL
taste. The fruit is borne on rather
long, stiff stems, thus ke ping !,
clean aud free from dirt. The Der
ries are most excellent Gamers, re
tanning their shape, dark red color
and delicate flavor to & eater degree
OF perfection than those of softer
nature commonly grown for nearb!
m rkets.
The Clark's Seeding IL not an OK
! ceedingly heavy bearer the averag,
crop being about 100 crates Of 2
pounds each per acre. Many othe
varieties will produce much NOR
heavily, but the crop is valuable oI
account of always being In demant
and producing well year after year
and Il has the habit Of producing
valuable crop each year.