Journal of Agriculture. [9 Dec, 1907 



FIRST PROGRESS REPORT ON VITICULTURE m 



EUROPE. 



F. de Castella. 

 {Continued from page 6g8.) 



Hybrids. 



RiPARiA X RuPESTRis. — By crossing these species it has been possible to 

 raise seedlings retaining the characteristics of both parents. As the result 

 of the most rigorous selection a few have been sorted out which have 

 inherited the qualities without the defects of the parents. Chief among 

 these are three vines which certainly rank among the most valuable resistant 

 stocks and which are those most largely used in Victoria. They are Nos. 

 3306 and 3309 of Couderc and No. loi^^ of Millardet. In France also 

 these are the best known Riparia Rupestris hybrids. No. 3309 is perhaps 

 one of the most valuable stocks we possess. During my travels I have 

 come across it very frequently both in vineyards on a large scale and in ex- 

 perimental plots. I have not in a single instance heard any complaints con- 

 cerning it. It is one of the rare stocks which seem to give good results 

 everywhere. In the numerous experimental plots near Montpellier I have 

 always found it to be one of the best, both as regards vigour and fruit- 

 fulness. In the Hermitage district it is now used exclusively as the stock 

 for the Syrah (Shiraz or Red Hermitage). It resists drought in a high 

 degree, being the best of the three for drv situations. From what I 

 have seen I think it safe to predict a great future for this stock in Vic- 

 toria. It will be interesting to note the opinion formed of it in Spain, 

 Algiers and other dry countries. 



No. 3306 is usually to be found alongside of 3309 in experimental 

 plots. It is as a rule equally satisfactory though of slightly less vigorous 

 growth. No. 3306 takes rather more after its Riparia parent and 3309 

 after its Rupestris one. This is probably the cause of the slight su- 

 periority of the latter in most experimental plots for these are usually 

 established in soils where the effects of drought are felt and not in Riparia 

 soils where almost any American stock will thrive. 



Though both these stocks have a wide range of adaptation, leading 

 authorities consider 3309 best suited for dry hill-sides, and 3306 for stiff 

 clays and sour, wet soils ; for these it has displaced Solonis, a stock which 

 will be referred to presentlv. 



No. loi^* seems to be the one of the three which most resembles its 

 Riparia parent. For this reason it is usually inferior to the other two in 

 the dry soils of most experimental plots. It is nevertheless a stock of 

 great value in soils which suit it. These are deep, rich, moist and well 

 drained — "Riparia" soils in fact. In these it is to be preferred to 

 Riparia Gloire chiefly on account of its greater durability when grafted. I 

 have occasionally seen 101^^ giving disappointing results, but onlv in 

 soils where Riparia did not thrive. It bids fair to supplant Riparia in 

 Riparia soils. 



Solonis. — This is a rather complex hvbrid which was verv popular in 

 the early days of French reconstitution. It possesses some valuable quali- 

 ties such as fruitfulness of its grafts and adaptability to limestone soils, 



