VINES UNDER GLASS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20596, 21 June 1930, Page 29 (Supplement)

VINES UNDER GLASS.

seasonable needs* There, will be plenty of necessary work in connection with vines under that will keep the operator fully employed when the weather is too_ wet for outdoor operations. At this tuno all seasonable work connected . with vine culture should be pushed forward as quickly as possible. Pruning is one of the first operations requiring attention, and should be performed as soon as possible after the sap has returned. If the bouse has been opened to give the vines the fall benefits of plenty of light and air, most vaneties should now be in a perfectly sale condition for pruning. . The ripening of the wood depends in a very great measure upon the treatment of the borders, and the condition of the roots. In well-prepared borders, where

the vines are furnished with an abundance of surface roots, the ripening process is rapid and certain. It i 3 in illprepared soil, where the roots go so deep in search of the necessary food that difficulty is experienced in the ripening of the wood. Even after the sap has returned the wood, in such cases, is, soft and pithy instead of being firm and well ripened. It is advisable in any case, especially by anyone not thoroughly experienced in their culture, to make sure that the sap has returned before finally pruning. The safest pruning method is, after most of the foliage has fallen, to shorten back one of the lowest laterals on each cane. If, after a few hours, or a day, no sap exudes from the wounds pruning can bo done with safety. By pruning as soon as the vines are dormant the wounda have ample time to heal over before the vines become again active, beside allowing more time to attend to other seasonable requirements. The success attained depends in a very great measure upon the treatment of the vines during their season of rest, for in addition to pruning and cleaning and dressing the vines, manuring and forking over the borders, the house requires a thorough cleaning throughout. This is nob only necessary to assist in destroying pests and diseases that attack the vines, but in order to create as clean and healthy an atmosphere as possible iu which the vines can thrive successfully.

The next operation after pruning is the removing of all the loose bark from tho vines, the greatest care being taken not to injure the inner bark in the operation. The loose bark can, in most instances he removed by rubbing with a coarse cloth or brush, special care being exercised not to damage any of the buds loft upon tho spurs. The chief object in removing the rough bark is to leavp a smooth, even surface without crevices, in which mealy bug and other pests can hide. The done, paint the vines over with CJishurst compound, or other effectual insecticide, to destroy any pest? that may be upon them. Then make up a combination of clay, soot and sulphur, mixed to the consistancy of thick paint, and paint the canes so that a smooth, oven surface is formed. In addition to the inside treatment atto# ion to the borders is of equal, if not of greater importance, as succoss in grape culture depends so much upon the character of the soil in which they are growing. When vines show signs of deterioration, either in growth or in the quality of fruit, tho faults invariably can be traced to faulty root action. Should tho vines show signs of unhealthy root action, efforts should bo at once made to remedy this defect. rhis can oftsn bo accomplished by carefully forking and removing the top soil until tho surface roots are laid bare, and then recovering with a good fresh compost, consisting of turfy loam, sand, charcoal, or other gritty material, with a reasonable quantity of good bona manuro well in* corporated with it.