8 Nov., 1907.] Viticulture in Europe. 697 



faulty or dving vines in their vineyards. Others give it a bad name, 

 saying that it fears drought more than Riparia, and that it is much given 

 to set badly the fruit of \ines grafted on it. Some again, amongst whom 

 I may mention no less an authority than M. Couderc, question its resistance 

 to phvlloxera. I have seen cases of vines affected in his vineyards near 

 Aubeinas. 



In the Montpellier district this stock is very highly thought of and 

 largely used. In the majority of cases it is preferred to other stocks 

 in all soils, excapt those which are too moist, or which contain, an excess 

 of lime. Soils containing more than 25 per cent, of carbonate of lime 

 are not suitable for this stock. I have seen R. du Lot grafted with many 

 different scions, both in the vineyards on a very large scale, and in single 

 rows in experimental plots, alongside of rows on other stocks. In soils 

 which suit it, at least near Montpellier, it has always been able to hold its 

 own. The vigour of its grafts is very fine and their fructification very 

 satisfactorv, though, as a rule, somewhat less than that of vines on 

 Riparia stock in their prime. As regards durability it far surpasses 

 Riparia. Though a later importation than the last named stock, it has 

 now being used on a large scale for a sufficient number of years to 

 abundantly prove its value in localities for which it is suited. Near 

 Montpellier I have not been able to find a case of insufficient resistance 

 to phylloxera on R. du Lol. 



It is, as has beetn said, a very vigorous stock — excess of vigour is some- 

 times for imperfect setting of the fruit. This is one of the chief faults 

 found with Rupestris stock. If grafted with varieties liable to set badly, 

 the crop is usually light, especially when the vines are young — long pruning 

 remedies this to some extent, but as a rule it is an unsatisfactory stock for 

 shy bearing sorts. This tendency is very evident in experimental plots 

 where rows of different stocks grafted with the same scion are tO' be seen 

 growing side by side. Take for example, Aramon on Rupestris and on 

 Riparia. The bunches of the former are distinctly looser and more 

 scattered than those of the latter. With such a heavy bearer as Aramon 

 this is of little importance, the big loose bunches borne on Rupestris 

 vielding as much wine per vine as the more compact ones on Riparia. But 

 with less prolific " cepages '' this pecularity must not be lost sight of; 

 also in the case of table grapes, many of which set their fruit badly. On 

 the other hand, certain table grapes with too' compact a bunch may be im- 

 proved by this tendency to scattered berries. Vines grafted on R. du Lot ripen 

 their fruit usually a week later than the same kind on Riparia. This point 

 should be taken into consideration when selecting stocks for table grapes. 



From what I have seen near Montpellier I am convinced that in this 

 particular locality, and grafted with the heavy bearing cepages of the region, 

 Rupestris du Lot gives absolutely satisfactorv results in the vast majority 

 of cases. The soil about here is deep and usually gravelly or stony and 

 easily penetrable bv the roots of the vine. Where the sub-soil is clayey 

 or otherwise impenetrable results are less satisfactory. Though growth may 

 be sufficient, vines grafted on this stock are apt to lose the leaves near the 

 base of the canes prematurely, thus exposing the grapes tO' sunburn|. In 

 such cases R. du Lot may suffer from the drought even as much as Riparia. 



At Vaucluse R. du Lot is almost as papular as near Montpellier. 

 M. Tacussel nses it as a stock for table grapes, especially for such kinds as 

 are too close in the bunch. At Aubenas and at Vallons this stock is held 

 in less esteem ; at the latter place, it is said to suffer from drought even 

 more than Riparia. The case of insufficient resistance to phylloxera at 

 Aubenas has already been referred to. It occurred in a block of mother 

 vines grown for the production of grafting wood — several depressions were 

 noticeable. 



