lo June, iqm.] A/ixiLirs to Correspondents. 423 



GENERAL NOTES. 



Vintage Beturns at Bntherglen Vitic-ultiiral College. 



In the last issue of the Journal, particulars were given of the yields for 

 last vintage, estimated at ^7 per tor for the grapes. Since writing that 

 article, some of the new wine, less than a month old, has been sold, and 

 the returns show a further advance, which will be appreciated by wine- 

 makers. The highest return for Cabernet, estimated at the value of the 

 grapes, was ;^32 iis. 8d. per acre. From an area of i acre 31 perches 

 of this varietv we ol)tained a 500-gallon cask of wine, and al.so had about 

 9 cwt. of grapes over, which we put in with some Malbec, as there was 

 not enough for a separate cask. The 500 gallons of Cabernet were sold 

 at the cellar door at is. gd. a gallon, or a total of ^43 15s. 



Even then, we do not get the returns we ought to have done ; for, owing 

 to the imperfect selection of scions, some of the vines are not as productive 

 as if the wood had been more carefully selected from prolific vines. The 

 results are, however, gratifying, especially when it is remembered that 

 Cabernet is usually a shy bearer. 



In the recent vintage we made a greater quantity of wine to the ton 

 of grapes than ever before. The average for the whole vineyard was 

 162 gallons to the ton of grapes and 500 gallons per acre of vines. With 

 such returns viticulture pays handsomely. — G. H . Adcock. 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



The Staff of the Department has been organized to a large extent for the purpose of giving information 

 to farmers. Question= in every branch of a'.'riculture are i^ladly answered. Write a short letter, giving as 

 full parliculars as possil>le, of your local conditions, and state precisely what it is that i ou want to know. 

 All inquiries torwarded to the Editor miist be accompanied by the name and address of the writer. This is 

 very necessary, a.s sometimes insufficient information is furnislied by the iiKpiirer. 



ESTABi.isHiXG Gardkn". — A. B.C. states that he intends to establish a garden 

 ^-flower, vegetable, and orchard — and plant fodder crops on some land which he 

 holds. The soil is deep sand which grows a very little grass amongst ferns. It 

 is on a rise and is consequently well drained. Water, lime, loam, clay and stable 

 manure are available. 



Answer. — The land should be lightly ploughed, or skimmed, to loosen the 

 ferns, which should be harrowed out and burned ; as much fern growth as possible 

 should be removed. The portions intended for flowers, vegetables, and fruit 

 should then receive a good surface dressing of clay and stable manure. This 

 should tlien be (lcei)ly jjlougiied in. If ploughing is not practicable, then the clay 

 and manure should be trtiuiicd in. If vines, oranges, or lemons are to be grown, 

 and provided frosts are not prevalent, they thrive well on sandy soils, and no 

 clay need be used at all. Before advice can be given re fodder crops, trees, &c., 

 it should be definitely stated for what purpuse these are required. For instance, 

 if fruit trees are needed, it should be stated whether a commercial, or merely 

 house, garden is required. 



Irriga'iio.v. — B.Iv. proposes to irrigiic i; .icres of rich, black soil to grow 

 rape, m.iize, anil lucerne. The higliesi point is 30 feet above the water and 120 

 yards distant. He wishes to know the volumes of water required and the power 

 of pl.mt necessary. 



.'I>is7i>ir. — (i) The volume of water reipiired |)er acre for irrigation varies 

 with the season, the crop anil the soil. Kor soil of the class described, the first 

 watering in earlv sinnmer will probably run to 250,000 gallons, the second to 

 150,000, Am] the remaining ones ma\ be kept down to ioo,ooi>, with an efficient 

 system of distribution. Lucerne will benefit by four or more waterings. Maize 

 and r.ijie require three at least. The seed bed should be watered prior to sowing 

 should it nut be naturally moist. (2 and 3) The power of pump and size of 

 pipes depend upon the period within wiiieii it is desired to complete one watering. 

 A suitable jdant would consist of an 8 B.H.P. oil engine and a 4-in. rentrifugal 

 pump. (4) The cost with necessary piping at Melbnurne would be ajiproxiniaiely 

 £220. Mnth engine and pump should be guar.uiteed by the vendnrs. 



