302 Journal of Agriculture. [lo May, 1909. 



had stood, grafted rootlings were planted. The ground had no rest. 

 The re-planted portion was surrounded by infected vines. The soil can, 

 by no stretch of imagination, be considered good, but is typical of thou- 

 sands of acres in this and other districts. Here, too, as in the smaller 

 experimental plots already mentioned, different stocks were used, so that 

 interested visitors might have a practical illustration of the behaviour of 

 the stocks in soil characteristic of the poorer kind of the locality. 



The first plantation was of Shiraz in 1903. The subsoiling of this 

 block was not done as thoroughly as in later plantations. During 1905, 

 the vineyard was unfortunately allowed to become over-run with weeds, 

 and .the vines were almost smothered. The present season, too, has been 

 an unfortunate one for the vigneron. Owing to the absence of rain for 

 so long and at so critical a period for the crop, the grapes did not fill 

 out, and diminished yields are unfortunately the rule. The College 

 vineyard is planted near a belt of timber which is outside the estate. 

 This affords harbor to large flocks of birds. The vines are also in a 

 corner formed by the intersection of two roads along which there is con- 

 siderable traffic. Hence the crop was considerably reduced by the depre- 

 dations of birds, and the peculations of boys and others. The great 

 difference in the yields exhibited in the accompanying table cannot be all 

 attributed to the stocks themselves, but is accounted for largely by the 

 losses already referred to. 



It should be noted that the reconstituted portion of the College vine- 

 yard is planted 10 x 8 and the vines are trellised on two wires. Rod and 

 spur pruning is the system adopted. 



Cabernet is noted as a shy bearer. Those who saw the crop on the 

 College block of this variety were greatly astonished at the yield. A few 

 Merlot had become mixed in this block at planting. The soil of this 

 plantation has been considerably improved bv cultivation, green manuring 

 and fertilizing. In the opinion of practical vignerons, particularly from 

 other States, this block is a valuable object lesson. A noticeable and 

 rapid improvement in these vines followed the ploughing in of a vigorous 

 crop of peas for green manuring. The value of this practice has been 

 often insisted on, but, though its utility cannot be over-estimated, it has 

 not received the attention it merits. The presence of moisture in such 

 large quantity in the crop made itself felt when it was turned in, and 

 was as good as a watering. This is a point often overlooked when 

 speaking of the value of green manuring. 



In the accompanying table, values have been computed at ^5 per ton 

 for the grapesi — a price that can readily be obtained locallv. 



Mr. Wyatt has supplied me with particulars regarding the estimated 

 yields from grafted vines in various parts of this district. Here, too, 

 the season caused reduced yields, and in some of the vinevards the effects 

 of late spring frosts were disastrous. 



Messrs. Campbell and Sons obtained about 800 gallons from an area 

 of 5 acres planted in 1903. Mr. C. Nash, whose plot of 4 acres was 

 planted partly in 1904 and the rest in T906, has 260 gallons. Messrs. 

 Ruhe Bros, obtained 260 gallons from rather more than 2 acres established 

 in T906. At Fairfield (Messrs. G. F. Morris and Sons), the yield was 

 700 gallons from about 7 acres planted in r9o6. Mr. T. Brierley, whose 

 vineyard suffered .severely from frosts, secured 1,500 gallons from 10 acres 

 that were planted in 1904 and 1905. Mr. Geo. Chandler field-grafted 

 3 acres in 1907 and obtained this vintage 60 gallons from the vines which 

 were only about eighteen months old. Messrs. Schlue and Sons planted 

 Chasselas in 1906 and have disposed of 20 cases of fruit to the acre this. 



