446 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A composite sample of the ash of the strawberries analyzed shows it 

 to contain 39.86 per cent potash, 13.1tl> per cent of phosphoric acid, 

 and 4.2 per cent of lime. 



Investigation and improvement of American grapes at the 

 Munson Experiment Grounds from 1876 to 1900, T. V. ^NIunson 

 {7l.tw Sta. Bid. '>U. pp. 217-2H(J, pis. 20). — In this IjuUetin the author 

 surveys in outline the whole iield of his more than 20 years' work in 

 the study and improvement of grapes. 



The wild or native grapes of the United States are considered in 

 great detail, the natural distribution of the different species being 

 noted and a table presented of their cultural properties, in which are 

 shown the soil preferred by each species; endurance to cold, heat, and 

 drought; resistance to phylloxera, mildew, and black rot; size of the 

 cluster and berry; persistence to pedicel; quality of fruit; season of 

 leating, flowering, and ripening; and vigor of growth. 



In accordance with the cultural facts presented in the table Vitls vul- 

 pina^ V. rtipedriK^ and T^ Jongll, named in order of preference, are 

 recommended as excellent grape stocks on sandy soils for northern 

 regions of countries like California, France, and other temperate 

 climates where Vinifera grapes succeed. For moderatelv limy soils 

 Y. r}(p)estrls and T" doanlana are recommended and for very limy 

 soils, where the ground does not freeze over 18 in. deep. V. cJkiih- 

 pirii. For grape stocks for any soil in ver}' hot, dry regions, such as 

 southwest Texas and south California, Y. ehampAiii., Y. doanlana^ Y. 

 herlandieri., T. candicans., and Y. montieola are recommended. "The 

 last 3, being difficult to grow from cuttings, are better utilized in 

 h^^brid varieties with the first 2 and Avith Y. rufpestris. Y. inonticoJd. 

 Y. herlandieri^ Y. candicans, and Y. chamjnni, while doing finely in 

 sandy soil, grow the best of any species in very limy soils, up to (jO 

 per cent of carbonate of lime." 



In breeding direct producers of fruit for market and table for the 

 North the best A'arieties of Y. lahrusca^ Y. rndpylna., Y. lincecum/i., Y. 

 hicolor^ Y rup)estrls^ and Y. doanlana are to be selected, using the 

 hardiest and healthiest varieties of Y. vinifera in attenuation of i to ^ 

 or less, by using hybrids and hybrids of hybrids as parents. In the 

 breeding of direct producers for the South, the range is very great. 

 Any of the above may be used with the addition of Y. chamjnnl, 

 Y haurquiniana, Y. herlandieri, Y. raon.tlcola, Y. rot and if alia, and for 

 Gulf regions and Florida, Y. slmpsonl and Y. munso7iiana. 



As to species for wine, "it is found that small-])erry species gener- 

 ally possess properties for wine making far superior to the large-berry 

 species, hence if one seeks to produce varieties for wine making he 

 should not neglect those with small berries. The species possessing 

 best wine properties are those in the sei'ii^s Kiparia\ Viniferte, iEsti- 

 vales, Cinerascentes, and Coriacete, especially the species mpesfrls, hovr- 

 quiniana^ lincecuinii^ herlandieri.^ chaiiijjlnl, doanlana^ and vinifera." 



