THE ORCHARD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 765, 29 October 1886, Page 15

THE ORCHARD.

DON’T BE DISCOURAGED.

Because your peach trees are not bearing a heavy crop this year, don’t get mad and dig them up, or because the Muscat grape has blighted a little on your soil this season, don t root them all out. No business of any kind m the world, except owning Government bonds, pays a profit every year that can be depended on for a certainty. In some years the orange crop will be a little light, or prices will rule low ; in others the lemon trees will act badly, or the apricots will forget to bloom ; occasionally the Muscat will bloom nicely, but will ripen nothing but wood ; and yet for a series of years all these fruits pay well in South California. Especially be cautious about / where and what you plant in the first place, gut, having selected the spot and planted your vineyard or orchard, stick to it. Do not be discouraged too easily, and do not be for ever planting trees, only 10 pull them out just as they get old enough to begin bearing. .Rural Californian. ANOTHER BIG VINE. There are getting to be almost as many big vine as big snake stories. The Covent Garden Gazette has the following concerning a fine grape vine growing-in the open air at Monticelo, near Santa Barbara. This grape vine, generally known as * Dona Marcelina’s Vine,’ *is the pride and marvel of the neighborhood, traces its origin to a slip bought by Dona Marcelina, from a young vineyard at San Antonio Mission for a horsewhip, and, though it was nearly withered from the effects of the long journey, she determined to make the trial to plant it. Notwithstanding further delay, the slip took root, budded, and ever since prospered, proving itself the main support for the large Dominguez family (there being seven sons and as many daughters, and through them upwards of a hundred descendants surviving the old lady at her death ; she left a son, Jose, 88 years old, who has grandchildren). Between 1850 Bnd 1860 the vine had been trained over an area of 80ft in circumference, the stem measuring then 12in in diameter, and attaining the height of 15ft from the ground. Some years it has borne over 6000 bunches (upwards 'of BCOO pounds) of ripe grapes.