(By Hortis in "Auckland Star.")

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 383, 10 July 1889, Page 3

(By Hortis in "Auckland Star.")

Stripping the Bark of Grape Vines. As the pruning of grape vines under glass will probably be undertaken during this month, I would like to say a few words about the practice of stripping the bark off the vines before the usual dressing is given to kill insects which usually infe?t them. "In & large number of instances the bark • has been literally stripped off without any - consideration of the object in view when such bark is taken off. The vine, like a ■ large number of other plants, if left alone vwill shed' a portion of its, bark annually. k Such being the case there is usually every » winter, on. old canes especially, a quantity of lose bark which wili- readily leave the stem. Such loose bark bocomes a capital hiding-place for a large number of insects to winter in. Others, again, find this loose Trark'a good place to lay "their*eggs in. the object in taking off bark of vines is to"get rid of the insects or eggs hidden - under -such. If this be-tho case what is the use of taking off such bark as is still firmly adhering to the- canes or vine ? There can ,be jk) insects, or eggs hidden undo* it. • Then^ for -what, object |,s it .taken .off? In~ all my experience t" have , neyer. heard anyone, with a slight .knowle'dge^ of the vine v say that tho quality or quantity of a crop was in the slightest manner enhanced by even : - the rough portions of the bark being taken off. All that I have ever heard claimed for ib was that it assisted in keeping insect pestfe under. What would be said of a doctor if he. advocated instead of a good bath, a scrubbing so as to get rid of the broken or used up portions of our skin, or that annually all the skin of our bodies should be stripped off, and after such an operation we were also to be painted with a mixture" of kerosene, tobacco, water, sulphur, etc.? Auy' doctor who advanced such opinions would be thought worth a placo in an asylum ; so also should those who advocate or practise the almost wholesale stripping of the bark off a vine or any other tree. All vegetable, as well as all animal growth, has as a protection an outer skin, and injury done to a part is sure to cause a certain disarrangement, but injury to the whole on either vegetable or animal is sure to cause death. Now if it were possible to wash and scrub the bark of a vine in the same manner as we wash and scrub our own bodies we would entirely get rid of not only all insect pests which take up their habitation under the bark, but the loose bark itself. • As this is not possible, we must do the -.best we can in the winter time by giving a good cleansing to each vine, taking off only suoh pafta of the bark as are dead and have become almost detached from the live bark. On no • account should the bark that is still attached to the wood be interfered with, as it is still protecting an inner bark that is not as yet able to fully protect the finer tissues underneath, let alone stand the hot burning applications that are applied to kill the insects or their eggs. Many instances have occurred where vines here have • been almost ruined with this rongh treatment. In cleaning the vine after pruning all that is necessary is to hold the rod and make a firm 'movement with the hana round the rod. All dead bark will at once fray and become broken, and this only should be removed. Give especial care to such as ' immediately surrounds the buds whioh are to produce the young wood for next season's crops. After the whole rod is cleaned the winter application should be applied," and it should only be strong enough to kill the insects and .not of such strength as will burn the bark or the delicate covering of • the buds. Bones as Manure. 1 The following extract may be of value to those who require to use bones extensively -as manure :—: — Bones may be said to consist of gelatine „an'd phosphate of lime. The latter is-the earthy matter of the bone, and is composed /ofrtnall cells which contain the gelatine. 'This latter substance is largely composedof nitrogen, which, when brought into com- ' bination with water, rapidly passes into "ammonia. Some people have a crude idea " that it makes little difference in what shape bones are applied to the soil. Hence some individuals, smash them up into small pieces with a sledge hammer, .scatter the pieces on ,the soil,.. and plough them under. There can be no greater mistake than this, as the pieces may lie in the soil for years before / decaying. As the gelatine remains imprisoned in the bones all this time, and cannot be converted into ammonia without being first freed from the bone, and coming in contact with water, the ingredient of the bone manure, most valuable for grain- . growers, remains in the soil inactive. There are several methods of dissolving bones for manure. The plan usually adopted in Britain is to dissolve them with about one third of their weight of sulphuric acid," though the new method of manufacture, in which hydrochloric acid is used in place of oil of vitrol, is both better and cheaper. The sulphuric acid, method may be done by any farmer in a very simple manner. From a mixture of sifted ashes and earth upon a barn floor in a circular mound. Then form a. circular wall by treading the earth down, leaving a hollow in the centre capable of holding as much bone as it is desired to dissolve. The bones should be broken as fine as possible, and placed inside. Then sprinkle with water, and keep well stirred with a shovel until the whole is thoroughly moistened. Add gradually lOlbs of sulphuric acid to lOOlbs of bones. An effervescence will ensue ; and, to permit the overflowing of the walls of the pit, add the acid in small quantities. At the end of twenty-four hours again sprinkle with water, and the same quantity of acid as before, and in the same manner. Leave again for other twenty-four hours, when, if the bones are sufficiently dissolved, the whole mass may be shovelled in a heap until it is thoroughly mixed. The material is then ready for use. (To be Gontinued.J