GROUND VINERIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6933, 6 February 1884, Page 5

GROUND VINERIES.

Although what are known as ground vineries among gardeners at home, or as they are sometimes called "curates' vinsries," are not uncommon in some parts of Britain, little attention has yet been given to this method of grape growing in New Zealand. Indeed Dr. Saunders, of Parnell, is the only person here who has put the system to a test upon a large scale. For several years he has devoted a portion of his leisure time to tbe culture of the grape in the ground vineries, and a very considerable share of success baa been the result. He found the method of constructing the glass coverings called ground vineries as described by Rivers too expemive, and he has devised a cheaper, and in the mild climate of Auckland, equally effective method. On a recent visit to his residence, we found that he had about fifty feet of bearing canes nnder glass, and on this length of canes there were growing 120 splendid bunches of various kinds of grapes—such as Soow's Muscat, Bo wood Muscat, Black Hamburgh, &c. Some of the Bowood Muscat, or Muscat Alexandria as this grape is called by others, had enormous bunches. When fully ripe some of these bunches will weigh several pounds each. He has in use twenty ground vineries, but a number of them cover vines not yet in a bearing state. There are thirteen varieties of grapes grown in this garden—the black and white kinds being about fairly divided. All the vines looked healthy, and are growing vigorously. He prunes them upon the spur system, and, judging by the appearance of many of tlus bunches, tbe vines like their situation and treatment well. The ground vineries can be made by any handy man. Each is seven feet long, and as the canes grow in length one or more extra lengths can be added as required. The cost of the timber and glass in each of these seven-feet lengths Dr. Saunders estimates at about Ss. We weie sorry to notice that the Codlin moth had reached his apple trees, and that many of them were being perforated by this most destructive insect, which is one of the gifts we have received from Tasmania. In several gardens in the Parnell and Grafton districts this enemy bas found a lodgment, and unless the importation of apples is stopped, and vigorous measures adopted to exterminate these insects that have found a lodgment in the colony, in a very short time the price of apples will be increased and the qnality deteriorated.