314 Journal of Agricidiure. [8 May, 1907. 



through such a crisis as has not been previously experienced. Every variety 

 was planted that would vield large quantities, and e\en American fruit- 

 bearing vines which make most objectionable wine through the peculiar, 

 .and, to many, repulsive flavo'ur of the fruit. One grower was showing me 

 his vineyard with pride, which was admirablv cultivated, and asked me 

 whether I had ever seen in Australia anything to equal it. Not wishing 

 to hurt his feelings I told him I certainly never had, and inwardly hoped 

 I never would, as more than half his vines were Othello, Herbemont and 

 Jacquez. His wine was peculiarlv repulsive, owing to^ an abnormal 

 acidity and a very strong flavour, which the French call foxy. The choice 

 of varieties is now as important for Victoria as it has been for France, 

 and I cannot but urge growers most strongly to profit by the lessoni now 

 .so visible of French viticulture, and keep onlv to the choicest varieties 

 and increase the vield. first by the \igour of the American stock, and, 

 secondly, by reasonable manuring and cultivation. 



It would be w.aste of time for me to discourse at length upon the most 

 successful European varieties and those most suited to Australian conditions, 

 but I would like to mention that I have just driven through acres of Caber- 

 net Sauvignon, bearing very large crops and yet ha\ing received no rain for 

 over four months. The conditions this summer in France were so very 

 similar to an Australian summer that if Cabernet can yield 300 gallons 

 per acre with ordinary, and often by no means good culture, it is by no 

 means a variety to be despised in Victoria. There is hardly a variety which 

 is its equal for finesse and flavour, and it should take a foremost place with 

 Shiraz and Malbec in future plantations. Of the two' varieties of Cabernet 

 <'omimon in Victoria there is so' very little difference both in the quantity 

 and quality of the fruit that thev mav be looked upon as variations rather 

 than distinct varieties. I had the opportunity of tasting wines made 

 separately from the Cabernet Franc and the Cabernet Sauvignon grown 

 on the same vineyard and the difference was very sm.all indeed. So small, 

 in fact, that when I changed the glasses a well-known taster mistook 

 one for the other. Of the white varieties I am still a believer in the 

 Semillion and Sauvignon, both imi:)orted a few years ago by me into Vic- 

 toria. Of the other red varieties imported at the same time the Gamav 

 should succeed in Victoria, but the coloured juiced varieties will all retjuire 

 to be tested careful! v. 



Perhaps more of interest would be some remarks upon how the different 

 American stocks bear and particularly how thev stand the drought. Con- 

 trary to usual experience in the South of Fr.ance the Riparia Gloire is 

 much appreciated in the Gironde, even on dry hill sides. This \ery much 

 bears out our experience at the Viticultural College at Rutherglen, and 

 as it is the m.osfc productive of all American varieties it will take a leading 

 place in all rich soils. Riparia Glabre is entirely neglected as it is by no 

 means as fruit bearing as the Gloire with the same disadvantages. Nothing can 

 equal the favour of the hybrid 3309 for all dry climates. Almost as 

 heavy-bearing as the Riparia Gloire, even in Algeria and the extreme 

 South of France it is not affected by droughts. The 3306 can be classed 

 under the same categor\ , and although not quite so popular as the 3309, 

 the only possible objection to it that I could hear of was that it does not 

 strike so freely. The other Riparia and Rupestris hybrid most in favour 

 is the loii^. Really these three can be classed together for all practical 

 purposes. Of the Rupestris the du Lot is the m.ost popular, but there is 

 a very strong feeling indeed against them now. As storks, they produce 

 vines of extraordinary vigour, but wliitii have a tendencv to run to wood 



