THE VINEYARD.

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 312, 8 May 1914, Page 4

THE VINEYARD.

VINE-HOUSE NOTES FOR MAY

Mention has been made Of the importance of allowing the vine to obtain the fullest advantage of its foliage. Much harm will be done by depriving the plant of its foliage in the early autumn. Plant physiologists have proved by analysing the ash of leaves taken from a plant when in full growth, and also from those that have fallen in a natural way in the autumn, that there is a considerable difference in their constituents. From the time the leaves have attained their full size and before they fall they yield 'up many important substances, such as starch and protoplasmic as well as mineral matters, including phosphoric acid and potash, to the permanent part of the plants. Cutting back the shoots that have borne fruit as soon as the crop is gathered is, therefore, interfering with the natural storing-up of these important substances. Some growers are in the habit of doing this with the mistaken idea of "plumping up the buds," others to let in the light to ripen up the wood and to lessen ; the general prun- :,> ■'. The proper way is to throw iLe house open after the crop has

been gathered, in-order to allow plenty of air to assist any further growth before the cold weather sets in and to allow the wood to ripen in a natural way.

The vine-house can now be j fumigated with the hydrocyanic gas .without any fear of doing harm to the vines. Where mealy bug is very bad it is advisable to give two fumigations, one follow-, ing the other within a few days. The usual formula of one third of an ounce of cyanide of potassium by weight (avoidupois), one third of an ounce of sulphuric acid by measure, and one ounce of water by measure for every 100 cubic feet of space. These quantities may now be doubled. At the second fumigation the gas will penetrate well into the crevices and destroy many of the eggs. The fumigation should be done before pruning. After. pruning use the clay-and-tar paint on the rods.

Copies of directions for fumi-t gating and preparing the clay and tar will be supplied to growers on application to the Division of Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries, Department of Agriculture, Wellington. THE SHANKING OF GRAPES. $ Several bad cases of shanking have come under notice this season. In every case it could be traced to over-cropping and depriving the vine of its foliage to a damaging extent. In every instance of the grapes failing" to colour it was due to this cause, and generally accompanied by more or less shanking. Imperfectly drained borders and neglecting the ventilation are also causes. Anything that debilitates or weakens the vine renders it liable to disease.