3^o Journal of Agriculture. [lo May, 1910. 



Eucalypts which fail at Montpellier are indigenous ; a striking example 

 of the difference in the climate of the two countries. 



These same factors apply to the warm winds and their bearing on the 

 question is of equal, if not greater, importance from a viticultural point 

 (jf view. Our hot winds traverse the heated plains of central Australia, 

 and occasionally bring; us heat waves of an intensity quite unknown in 

 France. But it is in the amount of moisture contained by these hot winds 

 that the leading difference between the two climates lies. In marked con- 

 trast to our dry hot north winds, are the sea breezes at Montpelliex. These, 

 after crossing the Mediterranean (in the northern hemisphere the warm 

 winds come from the south), are charged with moisture. When the sea 

 wind blows it is hot, muggy and unpleasant, although the thermometer 

 indicates a much lesser temperature than a Victorian, accustomed to our 

 dry north winds, would anticipate. At night, the difference is especially 

 noticeable, and cold surfaces, such as the flagstones in the footpaths of 

 the streets, become moist with deposited dew. 



This moist atmosDhere causes evaiX)ration tO' be much less active than 

 it is witl^ us. When the sea wind blows regularly a short time before 

 vintage, it considerably assists in the swelling of the berries, which seem 

 to be able to absorb some of the dew deposited at night. In this way 

 it enables a good yield to be relied on in spite of a long dry summer, 

 frequently almost devoid of rain. In this manner these moist, warm 

 winds are decidedly useful. 



But there are compensating disadvantages. The dew drops deposited 

 at night-time, in the warm atmosphere, constitute an ideal hatching grounrl 

 for spores of parasitic fungi, and it is only by repeated sprayings, so as to 

 insure each dew or rain drop being enabled to dissolve its trace of copper 

 salts, that the vine can be protected against fungus diseases, which are 

 prevalent to an extent quite unknown in Victoria. 



Unless protected by several sulphurings, Oidium prevents the vintaging 

 of anv crop in southern France; yet, in Victoria, during the past few- 

 years sulphiu-ing has been frequently omitted altogether without much 

 damage resulting to the crop. Downy Mildew {Plasmopara) is fortunatelv 

 unknown to us as yet. As this fungus requiies even more moisture for its 

 development than oidium. it is exceedingly doubtful if ever it will obtain 

 a footing in Victoria, at least in the districts where we cultivate the vine. 

 Our dr\ hot winds, so absolutelv different from the moist ones of southern 

 France, are an invaluable natural defence against these insidious pests. 



Notwithstanding these drawbacks, thanks to energetic and timely execu- 

 tion of spravings and sulphurings. the intelligent and highly trained 

 growers of the Herauh fuid little difificultv in ]n-otecting their vineyards 

 and in \'int:iging, in good order, the enormous> yields already mentioned. 



{To be continued.) 



