lo June, 1912.] Yield of Reconstituted Vineyard, Ruthcrglen. 339 



YIELD OF RECONSTITUTED VINEYARD AT THE 

 RUTHERGLEN VITICULTURAL COLLEGE. 



Vintage 19 12. 



By G. H. Adcock, F.L.S., Principal. 



Following the practice adopted during recent years the vintage returns 

 for the Viticultural College vineyard, for the current season, are here sub- 

 mitted for the information of readers of the Journal : — 



In justice to all concerned it will be necessary to remember that the 

 vineyard is on the comparatively poor soil, typical of so many acres in this 

 and other auriferous areas. \Vhile not specially suited for general agri- 

 culture, yet it adapts itself to viticulture readily. The vines in the College 

 vineyard are planted 10 feet x 3 feet, trellised, and pruned on the rod 

 and spur system. The grafted rootlings were planted immediately on the 

 spot where vines, dead and dying with phylloxera, were uprooted. All 

 round them were phylloxerated vines. Hence, the test as to their re- 

 sistance was as severe as could have been devised. 



This season has been the opposite extreme from last, and this has 

 naturally influenced the yield very considerably. The 191 1 returns con- 

 stitute a record, as far as this vineyard is concerned. Unlike the previous 

 one, last winter brought frosts. Only those that come after the vine-shoots 

 have started, are feared by vignerons. Unfortunately, last Spring, we had 

 two of these late frosts that cut back the shoots of the vines in the vine- 

 yard, and of the grafts in the nursery, entailing, in each case, serious 

 losses. 



Some varieties suffered severely, much more than others, and, con- 

 sequently, these returns are reduced very much. 



Nor were late frosts our only perplexity. The season, generally, has 

 been as unfavorable as the preceding one was favorable. This has been 

 one of the driest summers experienced here for some time. For months 

 no appreciable quantity of rain has fallen. Our domestic water-supply 

 ran out, and we had to cart from Rutherglen. Many of our well-established 

 ornamental trees, have succumbed. Ind'genous trees, e.g., Grevilleas. 

 Hakeas, Acacias, &c., have died, owing to the dry weather and the long- 

 continued heat. Under such circumstances vintage and other yields have 

 been greatly reduced. The adverse conditions prevailing here have ex- 

 tended considerably beyond the limits of our own State, and the vintage 

 is a short one almost everywhere. 



Again, we have suffered from the depredations of birds. This year, 

 for the first time, the Starlings caused us trouble. Previously we had only 

 had odd birds to contend with. As thev are rapidly increasing in the 

 district it is likely, judging by the present season, that they will make 

 their influence se\erely felt in the future. As usual, too, pilferers have 

 caused us loss. 



Grapes are now freely purchased at high rates by several local wine- 

 makers. Up to, and occasionally more than, jQ% per ton can be obtained. 

 This is an immense advantage to the small, grower who may not have the 

 experience necessary to turn out a marketable wine, nor the capital to pro- 

 vide the plant for the purpo.se. It is also a distinct gain to the industry, 

 for a product of uniform character and exactly suited to the requirements 

 of the trade is assured. 



The thorough cultivation, which is a feature in the College vineyard, 

 has been kept up. This has paid, as it always does. As far as possible 



