Gardening Notes.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2809, 28 January 1888, Page 2

Gardening Notes.

This season, up to the present, has been most favorable to the growth of that most justly esteemed of.all fruits, the grape. The few people who happen to be iu possession of one or more vines are now elated with the prospect of a good crop—that is, where they have been fortunate enough to secure varieties suitable for the locality. It does not matter what care may be taken in preparing the soil, or in the choice of a suitable situation, if the all important selection of variety is neglected, With regard to cultivation we have, fortunately, no need for experimenting); that large and thoroughly ripened crops can be obtained within the Borough of Masterton ia fully demonstrated. Qu the

property of Mr W*v H. ; Beetham in Perry street -can be seen about an eighth of an acre of vines which look the acme of productiveness; , and if wo may venture to- estimate, we should say it" will produce about 7 cwt of fruit, and if sold at thejfldinary price grapes fetch in IfeSWton, would realize about three hundred per cent, more than any 1 other crop. We have always found Mrßeetham, the owner, .extremely courteous, and ready to impart any knowledge gained from his experience in the cultivation of the grape in Masterton, and all intending , growers will readily perceive the value and importance of siich succesful experience. Now that grape-growing in large quantities, and almost as early as gooseberries, has been proved possible itisonly a matter of time ior the Wairarapa to become a great grape-producing district. A little energy uud caro in preparing and selecting the ground and a good selection of varieties for cultivation is all that is required at the out- __ set. Amongst thoroughly reliable " varieties for outdoor culture are tliev'' White Sweetwater, White Musca-> dine, early White Saumar, Blacr' July, Black Hamburgh and Miller's Burgundy. These all belong to the European grape, ( Vita Vim/era) but there are other grapes, which are much more hardy and which are grown over the continent of America gftlttcipally in the States, which prrauce crops of large and luscious berries j these have been little planted in New Zealand owing to the scarcity and uncertainty of getting: them true to name. Last Winter a "number of the American vines were imported and can now be obtained in Masterton. Among , them are the Catawba, Delaware, Allen's Hybrid; Maxatawny, and numerous others. Cultivation.—The first and most important consideration is drainage, for though the vine will stand a large amount of moisture at the roots when bearing fruit, yet the least approach to stagnation will injure it, and bad drainage will kill it sooner oc later. Therefore anyone planting vines, whether it be one or a thousand, must, if the land is not naturally drained, take care that sufficient drainage is provided to carry off all surplus This being attended to, the deeper the 7 land is cultivated the better, for the vine sends its roots deep down into the soil, and being a gross feedervAiiires plenty of. good soil from which to extract the nourishment it needs. The - ground should bo trenched at least two • feet deep'. The surface should from time to time be enriched by the application of some well rotted manure or bone dust; burnt earth is also highly beneficial. - Under no circumstances must vines more than two years old be planted; by a great many one year old 1 vines are preferred, while others prefer the cutting to be planted where'it is to stand permanently. The different modes of planting, pruning, &c, will be made the subject of future articles.