VINE CULTURE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 244, 14 October 1880, Page 4

VINE CULTURE.

The following in Rn pjrfrncfc from a letter Addressed by Mr Crpfehton from Sun Francisco to the Colonial Secretary : — I hnv« fho fcnnor to pdp.lpsp, in carp of thp Mail Appnt, Mr Andr°wp, n purcO of fp" l3 * pf <^« "HH wine of California (Vtfis cafifornica) for propnpat'nn in Npw Z q «!bih] em? iJip Australian Colonies, w!i«r« pro pa vinfn are cultivated. WfiTin?. tbroiiph fWour of my friend Mr Chnrlea k. Wetmoro. of tho Sf.rit.fl Viti n nUnr«.l Commission, gennrnd, f nr* 'Mslrihufioo in (ho colony, all ihe seeds gotberpd in the manner opporib°d by him in iJip accompanying; rarrtphie? of Shis spnp.rn's growth, pxofpf; thoao Font to Frnppp and elspwhpvp, I nm nnfnrally anxious thnt tho secd.s should bfi so widely fM.°trihutnd nnd as fairly t.retprl ns possible, end that- n nnf.n of tho rpfuiffi in rfijp time phonld be f^rward^d to me for <bp information of fha Commission nu<} CflHforpin vigneroPß genprnllv. I am fnllv persuaded that tha vin?prowing belt of NW Z^nhnA inn.l'.idpe tho greater par?, of Otnpo. Canterbury, nnd all the northern clistrictp, nor] that it only tsfOfls experiment, to produce a prape that, will bo adapt-ad to t^o Roil find climate of the various localities. 3?com the locality where the accim panying B°©d was selected thfl aee-'ll imr vines should be hardy. By carpful selection und gmftine', several variet'iPß will undoubtedly be obtnine'l ; nnd you will perceive, from Mr Wotraore'e admirable pamphlet, and occompinyincr illustration, it, ia already cultivated upon its merits es a wine vine by m Californian vipneroo of a large ex perience. The point-, however, which commends this vine to tho world ia tho presumption that it is phylloxeraproof. It is found growing wild iv the midst of vineyards which have been destroyed by the pest, but wholly uninjured, and experiments with wild vines of America and elsewhere, demoostrate that they are too robust for the parasite to fasten upon. Hence the French wine-makers are deeply interested in the subject, and the Department of Agriculture and Commerce at the Monfpellier National School of Agriculture ia experrnenting upon it. Professor Hilgnrd, of the California , State University, end several eminent vine- growers and wine-makers, have reported favourobty upon this vine. It has likewise been Bent to England for experiment. There are tens of thousands of acres of upland in New Zealand, in the variocs provinces, which might be planted in vines or fruit trees, employins a large population, but which now only afford a ecanty support to the owners in pasfuraco of sheep ond cattle. Ia this ktste, land which a few years ago was ibeld as worthies?, except as cattle ranges for a few months in the year, is now mosfi valuable for vine-growing. I believe, in tbo seeds I have sent, you will be able strike out varieties adapted to the various soils and climates. If this contribution to acclimatization in New Zealand should bo successful, I shall be amply rewarded for my j trouble. The seed should be lightly sown, in sandy fioi), like mignonette.