lo Nov., 1908.] Viliculiure in Europe. 



set hard after rain and do not crack. Such soils, which are of frequent 

 occurrence in some parts of Victoria, are the ones in which he considers 

 we are likely to have adaptation troubles with American vines. In our 

 other soils freedom from excess of lime will give us a distinct advantage. 



Varieties Cultivated, Pruning, Training, etc. 



The principal variety cultivated is the Garnacha or Garnacho, which 

 appears to be identical with the Grenache of Southern France. The 

 popularity this variety enjoys in Northern and Eastern Spain is in strong 

 contrast to the small esteem in which it is held in Victoria, and renders 

 it probable that the two varieties are not identical. In Navarra, the 

 wine made from this vine is of a light type, owing to the climate being 

 cool, but in warmer parts it yields full bodied wines. The so-called 

 "Tarragona" ports, for example, so largely shipped to England, are 

 almost exclusively made from this grapei. In addition one finds se\eral 

 other red varieties in Navarra, chief amongst which are Mazuelo, which 

 is none other than the Carignane of Southern France. Monasrrell or 

 Monastel, identical with the French Morastel, and several varieties 

 peculiar to Spain, chief among which are Tempranillo and Graciano, two 

 varieties which more properly belong to the adjoining district of La Rioja 

 where they are extensively grown. Several other local sorts of less im- 

 portance are also to be found. The usual distance between the vines is 

 6 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. 6 in., cultivation being executed with the plough, 

 though in some localities the vineyards are entirely worked by hand ; 

 owing to the cool climate the soil is less deeply worked than in Southern 

 Spain. The winter cultivation or Cava is executed to a depth of 6 in. ; 

 the two summer cultures known as Hedras are quite shallow. The vines 

 are not staked or tied up in any wav and remind one strongly so far as 

 trainmg is concerned of those of Southern France. 



Near Marcilla I visited a vineyard named El Raso De San Jose which 

 had a vear or tw'o previously taken a prize as one of the best kept vine- 

 vards in the district. It was planted on a stiff, rather greasy, clay 

 soil, and was chiefly composed of Garnacho and Tempranillo grafted on 

 A.R.G.i. and Rupestris du Lot. The cellars were equipped with modern 

 appliances. Fermentation is conducted in closed vats as at Bordeaux, 

 the stalks being entirely removed. At Marcilla 1 also visited a very large 

 sugar mill employing 250 workmen and capable of dealing with 450 tons 

 of beetroot per day. It was anticipated, at the time of my visit, that 

 40,000 tons would be treated during the season. 



Establishment of Vineyards. 

 Subsoiling is the rule before planting; it is carried out to a depth of 

 about 2 feet. In Navarra, the plantation of nursery rai&od bench grafts 

 is becoming verv general. It is to a considerable extent displacing the 

 older metfiod of field grafting, which was formerly alone used. Opinions 

 differ greatly among growers as to which system is to be preferred. As 

 I have previously pointed out, the question seems to be mainly one of 

 climate. The colder this is the less readily do grafts knit, and conse- 

 quently the greater the percentage of failures with field grafting. Then 

 again, in a cold climate the unions, owing to less abundant vegetation, 

 are not so perfect as they are in a warm climate where the rapid growth, 

 once the graft has knitted, results in a completely satisfactory union. I 

 discussed the subject at considerable length with Don Nicolas, who prefers 

 the bench graft, especiallv in the cooler portions, though he admits having 



