42 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Jan., 1902. 
the growth of the young shoots, is indicated here, and it is frequently followed 
by beneficial results; but it must be done before the flowers have opened or 
at latest contemporaneously with their opening. If this precaution is neglected 
for a few days, the damage will be done, and the flowers have been blighted.. 
All the shoots, except those required for special purposes, should be pinched 
back, leaving behind only adult or nearly adult leaves ; the lower laterals, which 
will be forced out, being subsequently stopped at the first leaf. A good remedy 
for coulure on rich soils is to allow a more liberal winter pruning, giving one or 
two fruit-rods to each vine; this will check the vigorous growth of a few 
individual shoots, and with an increase of crop there will be a decrease of 
excessive vegetation—a double gain to the vigneron. Vines planted in sandy and. 
in stiff, badly-drained soils are equally affected by coulure if there is an unusual 
amount of spring moisture. This is due to poverty of sap caused by too much 
moisture in the soil, which, united to considerable atmospheric humidity 
preventing rapid evaporation from the leaves, causes a weak elaboration of 
organic matter; the evil is intensified if there is persistent cloudy weather 
before and during the flowering. 
In the case of poor, sandy soils, application of fertilisers is the best remedy ; 
and in the other case, drainage where itis possible. Pinching will do some good. 
if done at the right time. 
3. CounvrRE caused by fungus attacks of the flower and immature berry is 
known by parts of the cluster being amputated, as it were, by the corrosion of 
the stalk by anthracnose, the part beyond the point attacked turning brown 
and drying up ; in severe cases the whole cluster is lost. In the case of oidium,. 
the flower is attacked and the complete stalk left more or less bare of berries,. 
but it is easily combated by timely application of finely-powdered sulphur, and, 
as this is an inexpensive procedure, it should always be done at flowering time: 
in those vineyards where oidium makes its presence known in the spring. The: 
treatment of anthracnose is more difficult, and considerable loss is caused every” 
year in Queensland by the attacks of this fungus pest in the spring. Applica- 
tion of winter dressings to the stocks and frequent powderings of the spring: 
growth with a mixture of lime and sulphur, gradually increasing the proportion: 
of lime if it continues to spread, are the only remedies. Examples of coulure: 
through anthracnose are given in Plate Il. 
These are the principal causes of coulwre and the methods of dealing with: 
it. There remains, however, for the individual vigneron to find out by his: 
own observation to which of the causes coulwre of his grapes is due, should it 
be of frequent occurrence, and to act accordingly. In the case of cowlure due 
to abnormal climatic conditions, as was the case this season, nothing can be done 
but to take it as philosophically as possible. 
COMBATING PHYLLOXERA. 
Mr. E. H. Rainford, commenting on an article by M. Bellott de Minierés 
on the French method of combating phylloxera, as affecting Australian vines, 
writes as follows to the Under Secretary for Agriculture :— 
Srr,—The note of alarm sounded by M. Bellott de Minierés and echoed by 
the British Consul at Bordeaux, as to the ill effects upon Australian wines if the 
French method of combating the phylloxera by grafting upon American 
resistant stocks is adopted by them, is in my opinion without foundation, and 
should not be taken seriously by Australian vignerons. 
M. Bellott de Minieras, in his communication to the consul. contends— 
1. That the system of grafting vinifera on American resistant stocks gives 
no immunity from phylloxera, because by a francisation of the stock its 
resistance becomes weakened, so that, after eight years, it becomes obligatory 
to treat the vines with bisulphide of carbon to keep them alive. 
TEN MIL aT) 
ee te ee cial 
