SELECTION AND HYBRIDISATION OF AMERICAN VINES IN ITALY 1 399 



Numerous experiments in hybridisation have been made but definite 

 results with regard to the hybrids obtained cannot yet be given. 



5) Nnrsery of Palermo {Sicily) . - The Director, Dr. Federico Paul- 

 sen, has obtained several thousands of M'brids and has carefully selected 

 them, after several years of cultivation. As Dr. Paulsen himself obser^^es, 

 it is difficult to find a stock wliich is able to offer identical advantages in 

 the various conditions of cultivation, and these hybrids have therefore been 

 tested in the experimented vine^'^ards of the nurser}^ and in those of pri- 

 vate vine-growers. In some cases plots were planted with free stocks 

 grafted on the spot, and similar plots with stocks grafted elswhere, and 

 then permanently planted. 



Of the hj^brids bearing the numbers i to 1450, those which have given 

 the best restdts in the first trial as regards resistance to phylloxera, luxu- 

 riance of vegetation and affinity for the local vines Inzolia and Pericone are : 



Rupestris 401 

 Rupestris 417 

 Catarratto 737 

 Riparia 810 

 Rupestris Ganzin 877 

 Rupestris 403 

 Rupestris Monticola 782 

 1202, bearing the number 1056 

 Rupestris du Lot 1072 

 Rupestris du Lot 1074 

 Rupestris du I,ot 1163 

 1202, bearing the number 1256 

 Aramon-Rupestris 1330 

 Rupestris Martin 1341 

 It was found as the result of numerous observations made under va- 

 rious conditions that a different stock was required for each kind of soil and 

 often for each kind of scion. Dr. Paulsen states in this connection that 

 the difference in adaptive qualities between the various stocks become more 

 evident as the conditions of reconstitution become more difficult. In the 

 southern districts, where the two main factors wliich hinder replanting 

 with American vines are drought and the intensity of the phylloxera pest, 

 the choice of stocks should be made with special care, and should be suit- 

 ed to the frequent changes in the nature of the soil and in the climatic 

 conditions. 



* At the present time among the thousands of hybrids produced and ex- 

 tensively tested by Dr. Paui,sen the following numbers may be recom- 

 mended : 



P. 1043 (Berliandieri X Aramon Rupestrs) and P. 1341 (Berlandieri 

 X Rupestris Martin) are ver}'- suitable for light, sandy calcareous soils 

 with a tufaceous and strongly calcareous sub-soil. In the experimental 

 vineyard of Casa Bianca (Marsala) Number 1043, though it grows but mo- 

 derately as a free stock, bears vigorous scions which make a throughly 

 good growth even in the driest years. Number 1341 has always retained its 



