IN THE VINERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

IN THE VINERY.

ATTENTION STILL NECESSARY. Early-started vines from which the fruit has been stripped will still requiro a good deal of attention. It is during the autumn, when the sap is about to return, that the vines require liberal treatment. When the sap returns (providing the borders are in good'eondition) healthy fibrous roots are made, and the vines recoup their strength and store up

food for tho production of next season s crop. An occasional application of good stimulating manure should bo applied to the borders, preferably in a liquid form, All vines require assistance after a year or two's cropping, 110 matter how carefully the borders have been prepared. They are naturally very gross feeders, and when heavily cropped, as they too often are, soon exhaust the food in the soil. Another important matter is to keep the foliage in as healthy a condition as {-ossible until it falls naturally through the return of the sap. All the time the leaves remain green root action is going on. Tho loss of foliage prematurely, whether caused by neglect or by insects or disease, cannot fad to check root action, and sooner or later affect growth and fruitfulness. As soon as all tho grapes are cut all secondary laterals should be shortened back to the main (or fruiting) lateral, carefully preserving tho leaves upon the latter as they help to strengthen and develop the fruiting buds for tho next season's crop. Fumigating with cyanide may still be necessary to protect the vines from mealy bug, tinip or other insect pests. For mildew, that often attacks the foliage during the autumn, tho free use of powdered sulphur is effective if sprayed through tho distributing bellows so that every portion of the affected leaves and stems is covered with tho material. MAKING NEW ORCHARDS. IMPORTANCE OF CULTIVATION Conditions still continue favourable for breaking up and preparing any land required for planting fruit, shelter or other trees. The advantage of having the ground in tho best possible condition for planting is in favour of the planter in every instance. Had planting and neglect are the causes of many failures and disappointments. It should be borne in mind that the future success of the trees depends upon the treatment they receive in planting and during tho first two or three years of their growth. No matter what kind of trees are to be planted the same preparations are necessary if satisfactory results are to follow. The amount of preparation required will naturally vary according to the character of the soil, hand that has been under cultivation, for instance, and has been used for cropping will need but little preparation compared with ground that has only recently been broken in. Tho best and most profitable returns are taken from orchards that receive tho best treatment. Whatever the nature of the land, thorough drainage is essential to successful fruit culture, for while ai certain amount of moisture is necessary <0 keep tho trees in a healthy growing condition, an excess of it is hurtful. In 100 maijv cases little or no preparation is made untilthe trees are received for planting. Jloles

are then quickly dug in stiff, uncultivated ground without any provision for the escape of surplus water. Such holes are simply wells for water, in which the roots of the hardiest trees could not survive for any length;of time. Soils, course, vary in the amount of preparation required, so that no hard and fast rule can be laid down. The same applies to the different varieties of fmiit trees, some soils being much more adapted for one class of fruit than to another. In most sites selected for an orchard with a mixed variety of fruits the soil frequently varies sufficiently to allow of most kinds being grown successfully. The planter requires some knowledgo of the soil and situation in which they aro most likely to succeed, the hardiest kinds being given the rnoro exposed positions and the jinore tender varieties being planted where they will receive the most protection, provided, of course, that the soil is suitable.