VITICULTURE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5190, 25 November 1895, Page 3

VITICULTURE.

SIGNOR BRAGATO'S REPORT,

The report of Signor Romeo Bragato on the prospects of viticulture in New Zealand, together with illustrated instructions for planting and pruning grape vines, has just been issued by. the Department of Agriculture, Referring to his yisit to this district the expert says :■— "From Wellington, accompanied by Mr Kirk (the Government Biologist), and Messrs liluckmore and Palmer (Government Pomologists), I proceeded to Jlasterton, in the Waimrapa district. At the Lausdowne Station wo were met by Mr Beetham, and invited to visit his vineyard of four acres, chielly planted with wine grapes. The vines here are exceedingly well attended to, tbo proper methods of cultivation and pruning being: adopted. The vines were in a perfect condition of health, the grapes almost ripe, the berries well formed, rich in promise of bloom, and the crop a Tery heavy one. Every part of the vine was particularly clean and free from such spot or.blemish as would indicate the presence of any disease?. Iwasgiven by Mr Beetham a taste of Hermitage wine six years old, and-it was certainly of prime, quality. Mr Bonny, of Masterton, also possesses a vineyard in which there is very little difference, so far as varieties are concerned, from that of Mr-Beetham. Both gentlemen are enthusiastic devotees to the industry, and are anxious to largely extend their operations. Tbo excellent example set by these gentlemen will doubtless be shortly followed by . numerous other settlers, so that I look hopefully forward to the development in thenearfnturoofan industry that will by far eclipse any other that has hitherto been prosecuted here.

From Mastertou wo proceeded to Napier, whither Jlrlieetliamaccompanied, in order to inspect Mr Tiff en's Greenmcadows Vineyard. This vineyard in 22 acres in extent, and is under the capable management of Mr Anderson. The vineyard lies very low, and in consequence it lias become infected witltoidium and black spot. By the institution of a proper system of drainage, and the application of sulphur in the way I will suggest in the part of ray report dealing with tlio various features of viticulture, it will be quickly eradicated. Thecellariscertainly a model of its kind, and does infinite crediU to the skill of the. manager. It is properly kept, and is fitted up with all modern appliances. In this cellar I saw some vats madeof totara. Tin's timber is destined to becomo largely used in connection with the .wine-making industry for making vats, i'o. lam of opinion that it is likely to bo more durable than kauri, and will not communicate an unpleasant taste to the wine, In this .vineyard th&Pinot, the proper grapo for champagne, yielded ji mngnifipept crop of the finest grapes seen by pie. Thf) soil and pljinate and quality of grape, clearly prove the capabilities of'this district for producing phampagne arid other wines. So for •as I am in a position to judge, Jlr Beetbam and Mr Tiffen are of the class of men who cause important industries to flourish. In their initial efforts they displayed penetration and foresight to a larger degree tliau is commonly shown by the uninitiated, and iu the taking of each successive step the same qualities have characterized thoir work, By correcting the few mistakes, which I took the liberty of pointing out, they will ere long be in a position to place upon the New Zealand markets wines in no respect inferior to thoso from the.most celebrated vineyards 6f the Australian colonies,"