566 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



Rupestris Metalhca. — The stock known here as Metallica is not 

 the Rupestris Metallica of Europe, but was orown at Groot Constantia 

 from imported Rupestris seed, and selected hy the late Mr. J. P. de 

 Waal when he was manager of the GoA^ernment Farm, Groot Con- 

 stantia, from which source it has spread over a wide area. Tlie fact 

 that it roots and grafts easily, grows vigorously, and comes into 

 hearing soon, earned great popularity for it from the start, and it 

 lias in consequence been used as a stock on a large scale. It soon 

 became apparent, however, that its grafted vines in most instances 

 began to deteriorate after eight to ten years, and a few years after 

 did not produce profitable crops. It does not stand drougJit, or 

 rather damp conditions, and in wet sandy soils it is easily destroyed 

 by root eels. It is therefore, quite correctly, seldom used as a stock. 



Seed Rtipestris Varieties. — Under this heading is understood all 

 Rupestris varieties which are found in our grafted vineyards and 

 which have not so far received a definite name, but which inive been 

 propagated here from imported Rupestris Seed. Such varieties as 

 Rupestris du Lot, Rup. Martin, Rup. Mission, etc., were also 

 originally grown from seed but have since been kept pure, described, 

 and propagated by cuttings. Amongst the Seed Rupestris v.nieties 

 we come across such names as " Donkey or Le Roux Rupestris," 

 " Appelkoosblaar " Rupestris, " Blinkl)laar " Rupestris. Large Leaf 

 Rupestris, etc., but these have never been studied and written up. 

 The investigation clearly showed that there are amongst these useless 

 as well as outstanding varieties. The old grafted vineyards (twenty 

 years and more) are very patchy, because at the time of planting a 

 mixture of varieties were used. In such vineyards one finds some 

 excellent large vines on Rupestris varieties, of which a .special study 

 has never been made and whose identity has therefore not up to the 

 present been established. It would seem that there are about three 

 varieties which produce such good results. From these it is proposed 

 to plant out cuttings in experimental plots in order to establish their 

 identity and to enable them being more closely studied. It is quite 

 possible that one or more of these varieties might turn out to belong- 

 to our best stocks, but then they must be propagated pure (along' pure 

 lines). 



Riparia Varieties. — Of these Ave have Riparia Gloire de Mout- 

 liellier, and another Riparia variety which A'ery closely resembles the 

 first named, but which has not been grown pure, and another mixture 

 of Riparia A^arieties which is known as " Ou Riparia." All the 

 Riparia varieties have resisted phylloxera well, but the so-called 

 " Ou Riparia " usually produces small grafted \dnes. The Iavo first- 

 named varieties are good, particularly the Rip. Gloire de Mont- 

 pellier (usunlly called " Montpilje "), whicli unfortunately has in 

 very few instances been kept pure. The following remarks apply to 

 Rip. Gloire de Montpellier : — It seems as if it is a suitable stock for 

 all grape varieties, including Hanepoot. It induces the production 

 of good crops and is responsible for the grapes ripening eight to ten 

 days earlier than those on Jacquez planted on the same soil. The 

 Commission receiA^ed no complaints against it where it had been used 

 as a stock, except that the Annes might liaA'e been larger on the less 

 suitable soil, though CA^en then it has regularly produced satisfactory 

 crops. Although it is particularly suitalde on deep river or " kloof " 



