THE VINERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20722, 15 November 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE VINERY.

WORK TO BE DONE. In tho vinery department, tho weather hincfl the starting of the vines lias proved anything but favourable for tho grape flower and has rendered it difficult to maintain anything like an even healthy temperature. As tho season advances, however, and tho temperature

increases, greater vigilance will havo to be given to Iho stopping of lateral growths and to the thinning out of berries. Once the berries arrive at the stage for thinning, they swell very rapidly, and where a member of any one variety is grown, it is only by close and persistant attention both to thinning and stopping that tho work can be kept under control. In such cases the safest plan, particularly with all free selling varieties, is to partially thin as soon as tho fruit is set, going over a second time and finally thinning when tho berries havo attained Hie size of small peas. Gros colman is by far tho largestberried grape grown in quantity, and naturally requires more space for the berries *to fully develop. But even with other varieties, tho size of berries produced depends in a great measure upon the thinning. When too many berries arc Idft, so that tho fruit is densely packed together, the berries cannot properly swell and develop. r lho difficulty with over-crowded bunches in addition to severely taxing tho strength of the vines, is that they seldom produce the colour and flavour that properly thinned bunches have. One can understand that those who grow for market purposes aim to securo as great a weight of fruit as the vines can possibly carry, but even in such cases it is probable that if the berries were larger and more fully developed tho weight of fruit would be equal while the fruit would certainly command a more ready sale. Hut for the amateur growing fruit for his own use tho chief aim is to produce fruit of tho best quality and he must thin with tho view of producing such. As soon as the thinning is completed, tho vines should be thoroughly .sprayed in order to cleanse the fruit and foliage of the fallen flowers. This, as well as frequently damping the door of the house, should be done daily. Moisture is an important, factor in tho production of healthy growth, while a genial moist atmosphere is <i deterrent to red spidor and other pests. Tho stopping of lateral growths must in no enso bo neglected. It often happens that through extra pressure of work at the fimo of thinning, the stopping of laterals is allowed to fall in arrears. Yet at no time is this work more important, for (ho removal of a quantity of growth at this stage is certain to cause a severe check. If there has been any neglect in stopping, the vines .should bo gone over each day, removing a little from each vine, until tho work is again under control. The border should receive a good mulching with manure. Up to the present the borders havo been kept supplied, with abundance of moisture, and by applying a. good mulch while the borders are in this condition, sufficient moisture will be retained until the vines are well advanced. As tho season advances, however, artificial watering may bo necessary. ■