54 Agricultural and Horticultural Resources. 



The varieties of grape which are, up to the present time, known to 

 yield the best produce in the vineyards near Geelong, are as follows : — 



Black Grapes. — Hermitage, Black Cluster, Black Burgundy, Black 

 Esparte, Carignan, La Gloire (Liverdun). 



White Grapes. — Madeira, Verdeilho, Riesling, Chasselas, Gouais, 

 Pineau blanc, Pineau gris. 



The best of the red wines have been made from the Hermitage. This 

 wine will keep very long, and will arrive at its prime after being about 

 five years old. 



Black Cluster and Black Esparte together yield a splendid wine, 

 approaching in flavor to a strong Burgundy wine. 



Black Burgundy is, with respect to quality, superior to Black Cluster, 

 but inferior in bearing 



Carignan approaches in quality the Esparte ; is a prolific bearer, but 

 is subject to blight. 



La Gloire (Liverdun) yields a light wine, of not very great value ; 

 but its bearing capabilities are very prominent. 



Madeira yields a strong, well-keeping, excellent wine. 



Verdeilho of equal excellence. 



Riesling, ditto. 



Chasselas yields an agreeable, soon drinkable wine. 



Gouais yields a wine similar to Sauterne, but stronger, and is a 

 prolific bearer. 



Pineau gris and blanc yield excellent, fiery wines, but not in large 

 quantity ; nor do these wines keep well. 



One acre of vines well laid out and well kept will give an average yield 

 in this colony of from 300 to 400 gallons of wine ; but there are par- 

 ticular varieties of grapes which would yield double the quantity, 

 though it should be kept in mind, that the general rule puts the more 

 prolific bearers among those of less excellent qualities. 



In concluding this sketch of the agricultural and horti- 

 cultural capabilities of Victoria, we append the respective 

 statistic tables, obligingly furnished for this purpose by 

 W. H. Archer, Esq., Registrar-General of Victoria, showing 

 the extent of land under occupation and under cultivation, 

 and the totals of crops produced in this colony during the 

 season 1858-1859. 



