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regions by partially covering them with light mats made of straw or other 

 suitable material, from the time growth starts in the spring till all risk of 

 frosts is passed. This mode of protection is very common in those parts 

 of Europe where similar climatic conditions exist. The coverings used 

 most generally are straw mats, which are fixed in a nearly horizontal 

 position over the plants at first. As growth progresses the mats are 

 raised to a slanting position. In order to supply supports for the mats 

 it is usual, on one side of each row, to form a ridge of soil eight or nine, 

 inches high, and on the other side a line of stakes is fixed. The mats, 

 or other coverings, rest upon these earthen walls, or ridges, and are 

 fastened to the stakes upon the other side. Possibly strips of hessian 

 cloth or some similar material may, in many cases, be found to be cheaper 

 than mats. But whatever material is used, it must be something that 

 will permit the free circulation of air. It should be borne in mind that, 

 in affording protection to Grape Vines, not only does it prevent the ill 

 effects of frosts, but induces the more vigorous development of the buds, 

 and the fruit sets with greater certainty. Though the expense of protecting 

 the plants will certainly add considerably to the cost of cultivating, yet 

 on the other hand it makes results more certain, and in some regions will 

 allow the Grape Vine to be grown successfully where otherwise it would 

 fail. In fact, the practice of protecting Grape Vines is indispensable to 

 cultivators in most parts of New Zealand and Tasmania, and would prove 

 very serviceable in the cooler regions of Australia. 



SUMMER PRUNING. 



This term includes various operations to regulate the growth of the 

 Vines from the time they start in the spring till the crop is fit for use. 

 Summer pruning is of material importance in the cultivation of the 

 Grape Vine, it being essential that the growth of the shoots should be 

 regulated so as to distribute them to the best advantage, and prevent a 

 waste of energy by the plants. The operations comprised under this 

 heading are Disbudding, Stopping, and Topping. 



Disbudding. This operation, as the term implies, consists in the 

 removal of surplus, and therefore useless shoots, in the early stages of 

 growth. Disbudding should be practised more or less with all kinds 

 of Grapes, but some varieties require it to a far greater extent than 

 others. Sometimes the necessary disbudding may be done by one 

 operation, but in most cases it will be advisable to go over the vines a 

 second time. As the plants when starting into growth usually make 

 more shoots than are required, it will be advisable to remove some of 

 them. It will, however, not be advisable to remove all the surplus 

 shoots at this early stage of growth, as a portion should be left for 

 awhile. By adopting this plan there will be a better final choice of 

 shoots, and more foliage to stimulate root action. The second disbudding 

 should take place when the shoots are six to eight inches long, or as soon 

 as possible after the flowers appear. In disbudding care must be taken 

 to remove the weaker and sterile shoots by rubbing them off. 



