562 



Cultivation of Vines. 



[dec. 



During the last three years every tree in the orchard received 

 each year a quarter load of manure, to which was added 12 lb. 

 £>f a fertiliser in 1904 containing 8 per cent, of potash and 

 10 per cent, phosphoric acid. Spraying was done regularly 

 three times a year, and sometimes more, with Bordeaux mixture 

 and Paris green. 



The orchard may now well be called a "rejuvenated" 

 orchard, for hardly any of the old tree tops exist. The Kings, 

 Greenings, and Russets have grown entirely new tops in the 

 course of the eight years, and the Baldwins are doing so, though 

 at a slower rate. 



A detailed account of expenditure and receipts in 1904 shows 

 that 1,840 barrels of apples were sold for ^567 3s. 9d. ; the 

 expenses of cultivation amounted to £ji 3s., the cost of the 

 barrels £138, and the cost of harvesting, packing, and carriage 

 to station amounted to .£95 17s., leaving a balance of £262 3s. 9d. 

 It is stated that these charges include " wear and tear " of 

 machinery, &c, but no interest on capital, and that every hour 

 of work done in the orchard by the owner or his men has been 

 charged. The gross returns from the orchard in each year have 

 been as follows :— 1896, £$2 ; 1897, £2 10s. ; 1898, £167 ; 1899, 

 •£42 ; 1900, £250 ; 1901, £62 ; 1992, £412 ; 1903, £292 ; and 

 1904, £567. On the whole there has been a gradual increase in 

 the amount of the crop ; the cost of production and marketing 

 cannot be given for each year, and naturally varies with the size 

 of the crop. 



The Board have been furnished with the following brief sug- 

 gestions as to vine cultivation by Mr. J. Wright, Horticultural 



should not be less than 3 ft. apart. A vine may have one or 

 more rods at that distance. 



2. The side growths (called " laterals ") from the rods, ought 

 not to be less than a foot apart along each side. They will 

 not occur at regularjntervals, but 15 in. is a good average. 



3. If the " laterals " are as thick as a man's fourth finger, each 

 may carry one bunch of grapes and no more, removing others 



Cultivation 

 of Vines. 



Instructor of the Surrey Education Com- 

 mittee : — 



1. The main stem of vines (called rods) 



