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mixed; then add the requisite quantity of water. Paris green is used at a strength not exceeding 1 lb. to 160 gallons of water. It must always be kept well stirred whilst in use. It must not be sprayed on during rain, sunshine, or heavy drying winds. It should not be applied to either fruit or vegetables within a month of the time of gathering. It should be handled with care, and kept out of the way of children. It should always be applied as a very fine spray, and persons spraying should take care not to inhale too much of the

spray.

NOTE. -400 gallons of water American measure is only equal to 320 Imperial gallons.

Viticulture.

A DESCRIPTION OF SOME VINES GROWN AT THE
GOVERNMENT STATE FARMS.

BY E. H. RAINFORD,
Viticultural Expert.

THIS Department of Agriculture has collected together a number of fine varieties of vines, many new to this colony, some already known, with a view to propagating and distributing the same to viguerons and others interested in grape growing. The collection comprises some fine table grapes, some new French wine grapes, and some varieties of Portuguese and Spanish grapes, grown in those countries for the production of port and sherry. Of these latter, there are few, if any, representatives in Queensland, and the tests made at the State Farms as to their adaptability to our climate will be of considerable interest to vignerons. Queensland ports and sherries are at present made from French and American varieties of grapes, and are lacking in the qualities peculiar to those wines.

No doubt soil and climate account for much in the character of a wine, but it is equally true that a wine made from grapes of Portuguese and Spanish origin will approach nearer to the type of the wines made in those countries than when made from French or American grapes. Some of the French vines are not to be met with in this colony, and will form a valuable addition to the vigneron's collection, notably some Bouschet hybrids with a red juice, valuable for those districts where wines are lacking in colour, as the quality of the must is much superior to that of the Lenior or Jacquez. As already mentioned, some of the vines in the collection are already to be found in Queensland, but deteriorated in quality from climatic and other causes, so that an infusion of fresh blood, as it were, will likewise be of service. Threatened as we are by a severe competition from the South, if Federation is accomplished, any steps taken to assist Queensland vignerons in improvement of quality and crop, will doubtless be appreciated by them. Many of the table grapes are of new varieties, and fine croppers in Europe, and some are grown especially for commercial purposes, being good travellers and not easily damaged.

It is proposed to give a description of one or two varieties every month in the Agricultural Journal, with some remarks on their characteristics. When possible, a plate will accompany the descriptions, taken either from a photo. of the fruit, or reproduced from other sources.

SYNONYM: Ugni noir.

NO. 1-THE ARAMON.

Very vigorous and spreading grower.

Leaves. Large, slightly indented, supple, glossy above with slight webby down below. The petiolar or stalk indentation open.

Bunch.-Large, long, rather loose, slightly shouldered, with a brittle stalk.
Berry.-Large, round, juicy, pleasant flavour, dark red to black; grand

cropper.

REMARKS.-This vine is much esteemed in some districts in France for its great cropping powers, as, with intense cultivation, it gives 10 tons and over to the acre. This grape is much used for making white wine of a Chablis character, exported largely to England. The grapes have to be quickly crushed and pressed to avoid any colouring of the juice; about 60 per cent. of the must being turned into white wine and the remainder into claret.

The Aramon makes a light clean red wine of rather low alcoholicity, from 15 to 19 per cent. of proof spirit, but undoubtedly in this climate the strength would increase considerably. This grape would be very useful both for making light white wines and for mixing with coarser varieties for clarets; its cropping powers also recommend it.

It resists disease well.

Botany.

PANICUM COLONUM.

MR. H. TARDENT, Manager of the Biggenden Experiment Farm, sends us a specimen of a grass which is apparently unknown to stockowners generally, and gives the following account of it:

We often import at great expense and trouble foreign grasses and plants. This is right enough in its way. But I am inclined to think that often better results would be obtained by cultivating and improving some of our indigenous grasses which for æons past have adapted themselves to our soils, climate, and circumstances. When visiting farms in this newly settled district (Biggenden and the surrounding neighbourhood), I was struck by the luxuriant appearance of a grass which was quite new to me. It is leafy and succulent, stooling well, growing very thick, and reaching from 3 to 5 feet in height. It is mostly found on rich land, such as, for instance, old sheepyards and camping places, and in one instance at least I saw it healthy and thriving well at the bottom of a hill where there was a soakage, rendering life impossible for corn and other plants, which were there stunted, yellow, and dying out. A local dairyman of great experience (Mr. Fowler) told me he considered the grass unsurpassed as a cow fodder.

As nobody in the district could tell me either the vernacular or the botanic name of the plant, I sent a handful of it to the Government Botanist (Mr. Bailey) who writes thus about it:-"The grass of which you forward a sample is Panicum colonum (Linn.). It is indigenous in Queensland and most tropical and sub-tropical parts. In India it is considered one of the best for fodder, all kinds of stock being fond of it, and the abundant quantity of grains which it produces is considered to add greatly to its nutritive qualities."

Mr. Bailey adds that it is not so widely spread as a close ally, the P. crus-galli, but is probably better, and would be more easy to manage in cultivation, requiring, however, a good and probably damp soil.

From what I have seen so far of the grass, it seems to me to be a summer fodder, coming into secd in February and March. When depastured or mown down, it grows again very rapidly. I think it would stand a great amount of moisture, being thus well adapted for dairymen to grow on the coast during the wet season.

At Mr. Bailey's request, I am now gathering some seeds of it for distribution to those desirous of giving it a trial on a small scale. One should be careful, though, to keep it well under control. Like all good fodder grasses, it is likely to become a nuisance amongst other crops. It does not extend by means of rhizome roots, like couch or Johnson grass; but its tiny seeds are very numerous and shed easily, so that it becomes difficult to eradicate it once it has got established.

[On Plate CIV. we give an illustration of this grass. We should be glad to hear from anyone who may have had experience of the grass as a fodder or otherwise. Ed. Q.A.J.]