lo Sept., 1909.] Sherry: lis Making and Rearing. 



577 



land of any form of cactus at present definitely known to science will 

 be ill advised. 



The common pricklv cactus is proclaimed for the whole State. If 

 Burbank's spineless cacti are varieties of this species {Opuntia mona- 

 cantlia) they are also proclaimed, and it would be illegal to spread or 

 propagate them in Victoria. There does not, at present, appear to be 

 any reason for relaxing the proclamation in regard to the spineless 

 varieties and, until more is known about them, it would not be safe to 

 do so. 



SHERRY: ITS MAKIXG .OD REARING. 



F. dc Castella, Gavenwient Yiitculturist. 



{Continued from page 528.) 



Fermentation. 

 Fermentation takes place in the butts, which are filled direct from the 

 press and carted into the bodegas in the town of Jerez, as has been 

 already stated ; the mosto, as the juice is termed at this stage, is often in 

 brisk fermentation on arrival at its destination. A photograph shows the 

 mule carts in which the wine is brought into the town.* Each cart 

 usually carries two butts ; sometimes these carts are drawn b\ bullocks. 



MATS FOR SUNRIPENING AND FOR PRESSING GRAPES. 



Immediate removal to town is the general rule; though, in a few in- 

 stances, fermentation is allowed to take place in the casa de lagares, where 

 the grapes are crushed, these are seldom of sufficient size for storage 

 to be convenient. Besides, once in town, the Avine is under the immediate 

 control of the skilled cellarman, and has therefore a better chance of 

 receiving proper treatment. Another reason for prompt removal is the 

 bad state of the Jerez roads, which are about the worst I met with in my 

 travels through Spain. These remind one a good deal of our own Wim- 

 mera district. Road-making is difficult, as any metal used in filling ruts 

 soon sinks out of sight. It is therefore desirable to have the carting 



* At the time of my visit, the new wine had ah-early been transferred, hence it ivas not possible to take 

 photon-raphs of loaded carts. 



10.337. L' 



