THE VINERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19838, 7 January 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE VINERY.

ATTENTION NECESSARY. Plants under glass, as previously stated, cannot be neglected for a single day. But while this practically applies to all indoor plants, vines that are in few instances assisted by any . shading, require more careful attention to ventilating, damping down and closing the house than most other plants. During the holiday season vine growers, like others, look for a little respite from ordinary routine work, so that stopping of the laterals and other important details connected with their culture may have been allowed to fall somewhat in arrears. Consequently, all the more careful attention is needed to place the work again under control.

CHECKING GROWTH. Vines are now at a stage when the removal of too many lateral shoots is almost certain to check growth and development of fruit, and for this reason the work requires to be very carefully performed, and only a small portion removed from any one vino at the same time The safest plan is to go over the vines each day, removing a little here and there until the work is again well under hand. Another important detail is to see that the roots have been kept well provided with moisture. Since early spring there has not been sufficient rainfall to keep the borders supplied without having to resort to artificial watering. To allow the roots to suffer for the want of sufficient moisture is attended with too great a risk as splitting of the berries may result after the first heavy rain, caused by the extra flush of sap, to say nothing of mildew or other troubles that may arise from too dry a border. CHECKING MEALY BUG. • The mealy bug at this season is the most troublesome pest the grower has to contend with. The most effective method of dealing with this pest is by fumigating with hydro-cyanic gas, and, although this entails a little expense in preparing the necessary materials for the work, it is undoubtedly the most effective remedy, and well rep&ya the grower for his trouble.