8 



The same botanist who laid down the above rule (Boussin- 

 ilt) determined that, in the case of the grape vine, while a mean 

 59deg. Fahr. during the growing months will allow the plant to 

 irish, a much higher mean temperature is necessary during the 

 nmer and autumn months from the time the seeds are formed 

 :il full maturity, to bring the fruit to perfection, and there must 

 a month the mean temperature of which should not fall below 

 2deg. Fahr. 



The following table gives the average summer temperature 

 'ing the growing months at various Western Australian and Cali- 

 nian points : 



Deg. Fahr. 

 .. 59-4 

 .. 56-2 

 .. 69'7 

 .. 68-4 

 .. 71-4 

 84-1 



Geraldton 

 Perth ... 

 Bunbury 

 Albany . . . 

 York ... 

 Katanning 



These tables show that, compared with the most noted Cali- 

 nian fruit-growing centres, the South-Western Division of 

 istern Australia is possessed of a summer climate warm enough 

 the growth of any of the fruits of temperate zones ; while the 

 iter, never severe enough to frost-kill these fruits, is, however, 

 ficiently cold to insure for them the three or four months of rest 

 y need. 



With the exception of Albany and similarly situated localities, 

 indant warmth occurs for the ripening of all kinds of grape 

 .es, of all temperate climate fruit, a most exacting one as regards 

 rmth. Even in Albany, the early grapes do ripen, unless exposed 

 the chilling Southern breeze ; while only a few miles inland the 

 3r-growing grapes as well reach maturity. Elsewhere, such as in 

 i northern portion of the Eastern division on the eastern side of 

 s Darling Ranges, the great excess of summer temperature over 

 ,t absolutely required for the proper maturing of the grapes results 

 higher sugar formation in the juice. When to this higher 

 nmer temperature is associated a longer growing season, we find 

 nbined the elements conducive to the production of a second 

 P- 



LIGHT. 



Light also plays an important part in the perfect maturation 

 fruit, and an abundance of it, in conjunction with a congenial 

 *ree of temperature, results in better flavoured fruit, and in the 

 ,ter development of the colour, bouquet, and aroma. 



Reference to the information supplied in the meteorological 

 >orts of the State, for a series of years, testifies abundantly to 

 5 fine and bright state of the atmosphere during the summer and 

 ;jUmn months at the stations mentioned above. On the faith of 

 s same reports, we find that Albany is the locality with the 

 allest number of cloudless days during those growing months ; 



