The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.)

 

Saturday 30 April 1887

Page 11

 

 

 

THE BROWN’S PLAINS VINEYARDS.

(By Our AGRICULTURAL REPORTER.)

 

 

Mount Prior Vineyard, the property of Mr. Alex. Caughey, is situated upon a strip of rising ground which (separates the lower land of Brown’s Plains from the Murray River. It is one of the largest vineyards in the district, having been increased in size during the last six or seven years until the area under vines now reaches 225 acres. The vines are now all in bearing, the youngest giving about half a crop this year, and next year the whole vineyard will be in full bearing. The soil is a strong chocolate clayey loam, which is with difficulty got into good condition for planting. There is an old vineyard of 12 acres which was purchased by Messrs. A. and R. Caughey some years ago and formed the nucleus of their operations. The old vineyard was planted on the close system, but greater distance has been allowed in all the new plantations. The 8ft. by 8ft.system is approved of and is adopted where trellises are not employed, but a large portion of the vineyard is provided with trellises to support the vines. Ten feet is allowed between the rows or trellises and between the vines in the rows the distances are six feet and four feet. The trellises cost about the same amount per acre as stakes, and, as most growers find that the vine needs some support, in the district trellises are gaining in favour. A larger crop is obtained, with the trellises, but the cost of working is somewhat increased, owing to the fact that the plough and other cultivating implements cannot be worked across. Mr. Caughey believes that the increased yield under the system more than pays for the additional expense of cultivation.          

The vineyard was planted by the firm of Messrs, A, and R, Caughey, and the practical management at Mount Prior was under  the personal care of Mr. Robert Caughey.  The members of the firm have lately dissolved partnership, Mr. Robert Caughey retiring, and Mr. Alexander carrying on the vineyard. Mr. Robert Caughey, however, was present during our visit, and the Vegetable Products Commission had the advantage of obtaining evidence from the gentleman who had superintended the establishment of the vineyard. Where the soil is stiff with a hard clay subsoil, as at Mount Prior,it must be loosened as deeply as possible. An ordinary plough was first used, and this was followed by a large trenching plough made for the purpose by Mr. H Lennon. By this means the large plough, drawn by 30 bullocks, got down to a depth of from 15in. to 18in.,bringing the subsoil to the top. Upon the disputed point in regard to the advisableness or otherwise of turning up the subsoil to the top, Mr. Robert Caughey favours the turning up system in preference to mere subsoiling. He holds that the kindly surface is turned down where it is most wanted by  the roots of the young vines, and that the subsoil, when brought to the top, does not grow so many weeds as the original soil. These two advantages are considered sufficient, and the objection that it is more difficult to get cuttings to grow under the system was overcome by taking ordinary care in planting. Thus, while Bendigo growers regret having turned down the surface soil, many on the Murray think it is the best course.

In making the holes for the cuttings, the spade is used, and the bar is condemned. The ground is levelled and marked off, holes about 8in. square and 18in. deep are made, and the cuttings put in, the earth being firmly pressed into the hole. Pruning is carried out next year, and in the second year the stakes or trellises are erected. The crown of the vine is made about nine inches above

the ground, and the trellises, which are constructed of posts and wire, are about four feet in height. In the third year about half a crop is obtained, and a full crop the fourth year. In regard to the cost of planting much depends upon the nature of the soil and the system adopted. At first the ploughing and plough-trenching cost £5 per acre, but it was afterwards done for £3 10s. per acre. Where  

there is a deep sandy soil no trenching would be required, and in other cases where trenching had to be carried out, it would cost less than in the heavy soil of Mount Prior. Cuttings would cost 12s. or 15s. per acre, and if rooted vines were used they would cost from30s. to £2 per acre. Levelling, marking out, and planting is set down at 30s.per acre. Then stakes and trellises will cost from £6 to £7 per acre, making up about £11 or £12 per acre in all. The third year's crop helps to pay off some of the cost of planting, and the fourth crop will complete the payment of the cost of working up to date, so that by the fourth vintage the vineyard has paid for itself. Other authorities in the district make a much lower estimate ofcost, but all agree that with ordinary good luck the planting is paid for by the crop of the fourth year.

The Mount Prior cellars are extensive, conveniently arranged, and fitted up with all the most recent modern appliances. There is an underground cellar 100ft. long by 51ft. wide, covered by a wooden building of the same dimensions. At the end of the building there is a tower, on which an elevator works, carrying the grapes to a platform, upon which the crusher and separator is fixed. The grapes fall from the grape-mill and separator into tip-trucks on the second floor, and the tip-trucks, which run on a tramway, convey the grapes to the vats on the first floor, and finally the wine is run into the casks in the underground maturing cellar. The elevator and grape mill are worked by steam-power, and the steam is also employed in distilling the stalks, skins, and lees. It was at first Messrs. Caughey's intention of carrying on a system of buying grapes from growers in the district, but as many small growers preferred to make their own wine, the vineyard was increased to its present dimensions. Should the system of growing grapes to sell come into operation, the Mount Prior Winery is large enough to manufacture for a large number of small growers.

A good average yield for the older portion of the vineyard is 200 gallons an acre, and for the younger vines 250 gallons per acre. This season, owing to losses by rains during vintage, the yield will not exceed the average, but had the weather been fine for the vintage the vineyard would have yielded 300 gallons per acre. Mr. Caughey is well satisfied with the prospects of the business, and he finds no difficulty in meeting with a market tor his wines, both the local and export trade opening up fairly well. At about nine months old the wine is fit to be sent away from the cellars, and at that age it will stand the voyage to Europe. He sells some wine young and some at different ages, the price varying with the age. For wines under a year old his price is 2s. per gallon, in addition to the cost of the casks, and when exporting he places it free on board at Melbourne for 2s. 6d. per gallon, charging also for the casks. For older wine 6d. per gallon is added for every year of its age. The wines are sound, full-bodied, rich in colour, fine in flavour, and well calculated to make a market for themselves in any part of the world.

Mr. Caughey's fine residence, crowning the hill above the vineyard, is a handsome and imposing building, situated upon a commanding site. It is a pleasing feature of the scene in this part of the Murray Valley, and from the tower extensive views are obtained of the surrounding country, as well as of the mountain ranges stretching from Albury to Euroa. The house, which is built of brick, is large, and there are a dancing-room, billiard-room, and other apartments underground which add to its comfort in the summer season. The undulating surface of the vineyard, as seen from the tower, has a very pretty effect, and one cannot look upon so many evidences of progress without being impressed with the profitableness of the vine growing interest. The growers of wheat do not build such mansions or surround themselves with so many of the comforts of life. In this district we found old strippers and reaping-machines lying in out-of-the-way corners and overgrown with grass, showing that wheat-growing had given place to a more profitable industry.