1402 G. PATANE 



cially in Tuscany, in Apulia, in vSicily and in Sardinia. In many cases the 

 results have been satisfactory, both as regards resistance to phylloxera 

 and drought, and as regards vigour of growth and productivity. This, 

 however, has not always been the case. For example in Tuscany, in the 

 valley of the Arno and on the plains of Prato and Pistoia, where quater- 

 nary soils occur, these vines have given excellent results : on the other 

 hand they have given less satisfactory ones in the following districts : in 

 Chianti and in the vallej' of the Sieve where gravels intercalated in the 

 calcareous " alberesi " of the Eocene are abundant : on the hillsides of the 

 Upper Valdarno and of the valley of Greve, where marly calcareous soils 

 and cretaceous gravels occur : in the valleys of Elsa and Pisa where clayey 

 marls alternate with the conglomerates, gravels and sands of the OUgocene. 

 In Apulia and Sicily and in Sardinia the results have in the same way been 

 excellent in some regions and poor in others. At Marsala, for example, 

 on soils with as much as 85 % per cent of lime, the director of the local 

 anti-phylloxera association considers that the results have been satisfactory. 



Work of the Anti-Phyli.oxera Associations. 



These associations were instituted with the object of protecting vine- 

 growing against the attacks of phylloxera. They were first formed in 

 Apulia and later in all Italian districts where such action was necessary, 

 and aim, by the introduction of America vines, to reconstitute the vine- 

 yards destroyed by this terrible pest. The associations, directed by techni- 

 cal experts, have also underl^aken experimental work in selection and 

 hybridisatiou, with the object of obtaining stocks suitable to the districts 

 in which they are to be cultivated. The initial work of these experiments 

 was undertaken by the late Prof. Neobaldo Danesi, general inspector of 

 agricultural industries, assisted by the technical representatives of the 

 anti-phjdloxera societies and especially Dr. Armando Mignone as well as 

 by the director of the Experimental Nursery of the Tremiti Islands. 



Numerous crossings were made between the local vines, of which the best 

 as regards hardiness and longevit}' were chosen, and such American vines 

 as lent themselves to the'process : (Rupestris Martin and Rupestris Metal- 

 lica Berlandieri and its hybrids Riparia and Rupestris). Attempts were 

 also made to cross certain American vines among themselves, such as : 

 Rupestris Ganzin, RupCvStris Martin, Rupestris Gaillard, Rupestris du 

 I^ot. Cordifolia typique and Cordifolia Davin, Aestivalis, Berlanrlieri, 

 all calcicole (lime-loving) vines. Definite results have not 3'et been 

 obtained but it can already be foreseen that the societies, in fol- 

 lowing up the work in which the^^ are engaged, will be able shortly to pro- 

 vide for each district stocks and possibly direct bearers thoroughly accH- 

 matised and very resistant to phylloxera. It is expected that these plants 

 will show adaptive qualities, possess a strong affnity for the local vines, 

 and will be capable of giving better results in practical cultivation than 

 the vines commonly employed to-day. 



To test the hybiids obtained by Danesi and b}' the staff of the anti- 



