18 



The cold climate errs by the resulting wine being too rich in acid, 

 and the warm by it being too rich in alcohol. A perfect wine can 

 therefore be more easily produced in a temperate climate. 



The influence of moisture is to some extent contrary to what we have 

 just seen, inasmuch as in a moist climate the percentage of acid and 

 glucose in the must are both diminished. In some cases this is an 

 advantage, but in excess is very injurious, the vine being subject to 

 various fungus diseases (especially if the air be damp), and the wine 

 becoming a watery compound without flavour, bouquet, or keeping 

 qualities. Although it is impossible to alter the climate in the matter 

 of light and heat, we can modify it, as far as moisture is concerned, by 

 having recourse to irrigation, which thus becomes of the greatest 

 importance to vine-growers in very dry countries, where the rainfall is 

 so scanty as to render viticulture unprofitable without its aid. 



Irrigation, as applied to vineyards, has given rise to much discus- 

 sion, most persons, especially in this country, holding different opinions 

 as to the results to be expected from it. In the evidence taken by 

 the Royal Commission on Vegetable Products, whilst most witnesses 

 agree that it largely increases the yield, they express very different 

 opinions as to whether its adoption is advisable or not. Some recom- 

 mend it, others denounce it in emphatic terms, saying that it facilitates 

 the development of fungus diseases of the vine and ruins the character 

 of the wine.* There is much to be said on both sides; moderation 

 must be observed in this as in most other things. The use of too 

 much water is no doubt injurious, especially in land where the drainage 

 is imperfect, as a vine is most unfavorably placed if growing in swampy 

 or very damp soil. In the cooler parts of the colony vineyards should 

 be very sparingly, if ever irrigated; in fact, in most cases, it is 

 better to dispense with it altogether. It will, however, be readily 

 understood by unprejudiced persons that this is not so in the dry 

 northern districts. In the case of a deficient rainfall the application 

 of a few inches of water in an artificial manner can only be attended 

 with beneficial results if the water be applied judiciously and at a 

 proper time. An excessive amount of sap in the plant at flowering 

 time, or a chill immediately after the setting of the fruit, being usually 

 attended with disastrous results (page 12), care should be taken not 

 to apply water until this dangerous period has safely passed and the 

 berries are of the size of small shot. 



* In the Appendix will be found an abstract of these opinions. 



