lo Sept., 1908.] The Orchard. 553 



The grapes remain on the vines until as late as. 19th March — 19th Sep- 

 tember in Australia. They are gathered and shipped as required. 



In addition to the Ohanez, another variety known as Valensy is also 

 cultivated. This has been proved at the Montpellier School to be identical 

 with a variety which has long been known in the warmer parts of the 

 south of France, under the name of Pause de Roquevaire. It was 

 formerly largely grown, as a late table grape, on terraced hillsides near 

 Roquevaire, but since the destruction of these vineyards by phylloxera 

 they have not been replanted. 



The Jijona method of training is entirely different to that of Almeria. 

 The vines are planted near the edge of each terrace, and are trained 

 horizontally on a short trellis of wood and wire which projects for a couple 

 of feet over the terrace immediately below. At the end of the summer, 

 the long canes, hanging down in front of the trellis like a curtain,, are 

 gathered up over the top of it so as to expose the fruit to the sun and air. 

 A certain quantity of brushwood and straw is placed over the top, and 

 under this rough kind of thatch the grapes protected from rain and weather 

 remain in perfect order during the winter. The grapes, packed in baskets 

 and barrels, are shipped to different parts. Marseilles, France, receives 

 annually about 300 tons between October and the end of the year. 



The Valensy and Ohanez grapes have recently been introduced into 

 Victoria by the Department of Agriculture. If suited to our soil and climate, 

 there should be enormous possibilities in the way of shipping their fruit 

 in the fresh state. 



THE ORCHARD. 



James Lang, Harcoiirt. 



The recent beneficial rains will do incalculable good to crops of all 

 kinds throughout the State. Matters were beginning to assume a verv 

 serious aspect owing to the protracted dry weather ; however, the situation 

 has been considerably relie\"ed, and with a few good rains later on good 

 crops will be quite assured. Pruning and planting operations being 

 f.nished, ploughing over the orchard should now receive attention, the 

 ground being in good condition for the work, which should be pushed on 

 until completed. 



Spraying Peach and Apricot Trees. 



Peach trees will require continual attention for the black aphis ; and 

 should curl in the leaf n^ake its appearance, they will require to be spraved 

 with Bordeaux mixture. 



Apricots, also, should the shot hole fungus appear, will require to be 

 sprayed w'ith the same mixture. 



Apple Scab. 



In districts where the scab on the apple {fusicladium deutriticum) is 

 prevalent, the trees will require to be sprayed with the Bordeaux mixture. 

 The best time to do so is just before the flower bursts open, experience 

 having proved that the spray is more effective in destroying the spores 

 at this time. 



