128 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Frs., 1898. 
iron tanks lined with glazed tiles or cement would do good service, but careful 
handling would be necessary not to detach the lining. Slate and cement tanks 
are largely used in South Australia for fermenting in. 
Recollect that the greater the mass of mare, the higher the temperature 
will rise; so do what you can to diminish its bulk by eliminating the stalks 
wholly or partially, unless absolutely necessary to retain them. 
In offering the above suggestions to vignerons, I wish to impress upon 
them the fact that, apart from the influence which the quality of the grape 
brings to bear on the wine, the fermentation is that which decides whether a 
wine will be good, medium, poor, or bad, and its favourable or unfavourable 
progress will depend on the care and attention shown by the winemaker. 
Recollect that the fermentation is the manufacture of the wine; so to say, and 
that grapes pressed anyhow, and the must put anywhere and left to take care 
of itself, will no more produce good wine than flour, eggs, and sugar alone and 
unassisted will make a sponge-cake. The anxious care of the vigneron should 
be shown more now than any other time. Recollect that the future quality of 
your wine, and consequently its value, depend upon a quick and healthy fermen- 
tation taking place. Do then all you can to bring that about. 
APPOINTMENT OF A VITICULTURIST. 
Tut Queensland Department of Agriculture has secured the services of Mr.. 
E, H. Rainford as Viticulturist. Mr. Rainford has spent many years in Sicily, 
engaged in the work of viticulture and wine-making. ‘There is ample scope for 
his abilities in these directions in Queensland, and we trust that the instruction 
to be imparted by him to our wine-growers will be laid hold of earnestly and 
bring forth fruit in the shape of improvement both in our wines and in the 
method of grape-vine cultivation. 
