Name/Title
LetterEntry/Object ID
Q2022.21.130Scope and Content
A letter from James A. Cook, Professor of Viticulture, University of California, Davis, Calif. to Wilbur P. McDonald, M. D. dated October 22, 1968. It is on embossed University of California letterhead.Context
Because of several personnel adjustments in my laboratory this past summer we still do not have the complete analysis of the two grape samples which you sent to me on July 7 of last year.
Now in answer to your November 1, 1967, inquiry, I can only state that the petioles of the leaves which you sent are beyond a doubt sufficiently high for potassium (at 3.20%), in phosphorus (at 0.64%%), and in boron with aa level of 50 ppm. The boron, however, is not unduly high and it may be that the boron applications you put on last winter did indeed do some good. I would suggest that about every three years you give each vine a tablespoon of borax.
Further, because of your problem with trying tom prevent winter injury, I would keep the nitrogen application quite low. Remember that the more vigorous the vine grows in the late summer, the most susceptible it will be to winter injury. Therefore your previous treatments of about 1/2 cubic foot manure per vine is probably quite sufficient. If the manure is not readily available, inorganic sources such as ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate or urea may be broadcast around the vines at the rate of three or four ounces in the spring just before growth begins. (a notation in blue ink: 'or omit in view of next paragraph,)
I am sorry we have not yet been able to get the total nitrogen run on your leaf blades, so the above is just a general suggestion. (notation: '=3.0% [Literature on Concords says range of 1.7 to 2.4
for vigorous vineyards is a little high'])
This letter is being written in hastily (notation; 'Dec. 20th, 1967') since I am desperately trying to clear my desk in order to leave on a eight month sabbatical to Mexico. I will not be back on duty here until about September 1. (*a notation in reference to this paragraph is found at the bottom of the page)
Enjoyed your comments about the "amateur grape grower", the experience with winter resistance is quite interesting, and I shall pass on both letters now to Professor Olmo whom you may remember as the man I had you talk to about winter resistance on your visit here.
Good luck in your future vineyard operations!
Sincerely yours,
(* Thru a real foul-up in understanding, this letter was not typed in Oct. '67 --------- also important teaching instructions!)Lexicon
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Category 08: Communication ObjectsDimensions
Dimension Notes
8.5" x 11"