Report of the Viticultural Expert. 239 



Last year 3,000 cuttings were sent to Mildura, and liave made 

 most gratifving- progress at the station conducted by the President, 

 Mr. Burbury, on beluxlf of the Horticultural Society. Here I have 

 recommended the establishment of an otticial station, which would not 

 only be of local value, but, owing to the rapid growth under irrigation 

 facilities, would speedily provide all the wood re(i[uired for the State. 

 Some of the so-called College blocks, as pointed out in a special 

 report, might, with advantage to the viticultural industry and the 

 settlement, be so utilised and practically without cost. Experimental 

 viticultural work is of supreme importance at the present juncture. 

 Especially for tht^ hitherto clean districts is this advisable, so that we 

 may have reliable data. Reconstitution will then proceed on a sound 

 basis, and vignerons thus situated will be enabled to avoid paying the 

 heavy premiums that experience always demands from the uninitiated 

 or unprepared. 



General- 



Mildura, an important viticultural area, was visited towards the 

 end of the official year in response to a cordial invitation from the 

 vigilant Horticultural Society. A lecture, illustrated by limelight 

 views, Avas given in the Shire Hall, on " Phylloxera and the American 

 Vines." The following day there was a public field demonstration on 

 the QTraftino;, &c., of resistant stocks. Advice and instruction were 

 also given on several blocks I was privileged to visit in the limited 

 time available. The eagerness to acquire information, and the genial 

 reception accorded, amply repaid me for the discomforts of the tedious 

 and somewhat unpleasant journey. 



Correspondence during the year has been heavy, and over .3,000 

 letters have been despatched. Information by letter is eagerly 

 sought by growers, and, wherever possible, the written instructions 

 are supplemented by a personal visit. It is gratifying to note the 

 appreciation with which the Departmental publications aw received, 

 particularly the translations of Messrs. Dubois and Wilkinson. This 

 method of reaching and instructing the grower, should be extended 

 and encouraged. The Jour) t.al of Agriculture lias been the means of 

 conveying a large amount of information to vignerons, as it has to 

 other producers. Its reappearance is hailed with pleasure. 



As we have no stock of the Vitis Berlandieri, the species most 

 adapted for growth in limy soils, it has been decided to obtain 

 cuttings of the same, if available, from the New South Wales Govern- 

 ment. In this connection it should be noted that, in the absence of 

 analyses of the soils, a calcimetre at the cost of a few shillings would, 

 as previously recommended, })rove invaluable. Till the percentage of 

 lime in a soil is definitely known, it is difficult, if not impossible, to 

 advise with certainty the most suitable variety of resistant stock for a 

 particular soil. 



Through the efforts of Mr. Dubois and the generosity of Mr. John 

 Rock, Manager of the California Nursery Company, of Niles, 

 California, we have received their complete collection of 34 ap])roved 



