THE VINERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21159, 16 April 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE VINERY.

HOW TO GET GOOD GRAPES. Although (ho past season has been a favourable one for the colouring and ripening of most varieties of grapes, the success attained will, in a great measure, depend upon the attention given to the borders throughout tho colouring and ripening period. Throughout tho summer and up to within the last few weeks dry weather prevailed, with insufficient rainfall to thoroughly moisten tho borders, and unless this inoisturo was supplied by occasional watering, healthy rrat action could not be maintained. This, in fact, is one of the most important matters in grape culture, and more especially in colouring and ripening late grapes. Vines ' are naturally gross feeding plants, especially when heavily layered with fruit. They cannot mature and ripen the fruit if the borders arc allowed to become dry or the. roots in any way allowed to suffer for (ho want of moisture. Lack of moisture at the roots naturally checks tho growth, resulting in the premature setting of the skin, so that many of the berries, instead of swelling, split open as soon as (ho first heavy rain and extra flush of sap is experienced. PROTECTION PROM DECAY. All vines that aro in a healthy fruitbearing condition produce an abundance of young, fibrous roots near the surface of tho borders, and it is when the roots are in this condition that the best results aro obtained. It naturally follows, however, that such roots aro the first to suffer, unless kept provided with moisture, cither by watering or heavy mulching, while even both may be necessary during a long, dry spell.

From this time onward the chief difficulty in keeping the grapes from decay will be tlio e.xcess of moisture. The heavy rains and warm, humid atmosphere arc anything but favourable for keeping the berries in a sound condition. Although no grapes are proof against decay when unfavourable conditions exist the more imperfectly ripened berries arc always more liable to decay than well coloured and ripened fruit. It is seldom that there is any loss through the decay of berries until the present month, and it is only with the latest varieties that any difficulty is experienced. .Much, of course, depends upon the condition of culture. Houses, for instance, that are in a warm, •sheltered position, and where efforts have been mude to prevent undue evaporation by covering tlio floor of the house with concrete or asphalt, are more easily managed than those with an earthen floor, sodden with moisture.

THE RIPENING PROCESS. Late grapes are a profitable crop and command good prices when well grown. They can be kept hanging upon the vines until late in the season. To keep the fruit sound, however, the berries require to be perfectly coloured and ripened by the end of March, as there is little chance of them colouring and ripening after that time.

In the ripening process much depends upon the 'crop that the vines are carrying. With fairly light crops there is little or no difficulty, with reasonable care, in obtaining good colour and finish, but with vines that are heavily taxed it is difficult, even with the most experienced grower, to obtain good colour unless lie is aided by artificial heat. But even with the best ripened grapes it is no easy matter to keep the fruit hanging upon the vines in a sound condition for any length of time without artificial heat. At this season sudden changes of temperature, and increasing moisture tends to encourage mildew to attack the foliage and fruit. Yet without clean, healthy foliage the fruits cannot be kept free from decay. The bunches should bo frequently looked over, and any damaged or decaying berries removed. Otherwise the disease will quickly spread and destroy the wholo bunch.

CARE OF THE VINES. Even after the fruit, is cut attention to the vines must continue. In far too many instances, particularly with the earlier varieties, littlo or no attention is paid to tho vines after tho fruit is secured, insects and diseases being allowed to increase unchecked until the foliage becomes so damaged as to cause premature decay. One of the chief swurces of success is to keep the foliage in a clean, healthy condition until the leaves fall naturally from tho vines. If tho vines aro in a healthy condition tho natural decay of foliago only takes placo upon tho return of tho sap, and when tho wood is matured. NEED FOR GOOD MANURE. It is (luring tho autumn, when the sap is returning, that the vines require liberal treatment, as it is at that time that abundance of healthy, fibrous roots arc made, and when tho vines recoup their strength and store up food for the next season's crop. At this timo assistance should bo given, and the borders supplied with some good stimulating manure. In most instances vines are heavily taxed, and require all the assistance that can bo given to enable them to continue to produce and mature good crops. No matter how carefully tho borders have been prepared tho manorial properties that are essential to healthy growth and fruit fulness are, to a great extent, absorbed after three or four year's growth, and must bo replaced if success is to be maintained.