714 J ournal of Agriculture. [9 Dec, 1907- 



proper setting of the fruit. A.R.G.i shares the qualities of the previous- 

 stock. Its grafts seem to set their fruits slightly better, but on the other 

 hand it is perhaps a little more difficult to graft. On the Rhone, at St. 

 Peray and Comas, A.R.G.i is preferred to all others as the stock foT the- 

 Viognier a choice white cepage of that district which possesses poor affinity 

 for most American stocks. 



Both these hybrids are most valuable stocks which have in all pro- 

 bability a great future in Australia, especially for such difficult scions as- 

 Gordo Blanco. 



Poor Affinity of Gordo Blanco. 



On all sides I hear complaints as to the difficulty of finding a suitable 

 stock for the Muscat of Alexandria. The close relationship of this vine 

 to our Gordo Blanco renders this fact interesting to our growers. No' 

 raisins are grown in France, but the Muscat of Alexandria is much cul- 

 tivated as a table grape. Grafted on Riparia it only lasts a few years 

 and on Rupestris it bears no fruit. Strange to say other Muscats such as 

 that of Frontignan and Snow's Muscat Hambro' do not share in this 

 defective affinity, but thrive on several different stocks. In Spain I hope 

 to obtain some useful information as to the stocks used for Gordos, but 

 so far as can be learnt from French experience our raisin growers may 

 have trouble in suiting their Gordos with a stock. So far as I have been 

 able to ascertain the stocks which give the least unsatisfactory results in- 

 France are A.R.G.i and some stocks which are as yet unknown in Aus- 

 tralia, notably 420A, 62-66, 84-3 &c. 



Stocks New to Australia. 



Hitherto I have confined my remarks to stocks which have been intro- 

 duced into Victoria. In addition to these there are several as vet unknown 

 to us, which have within a few years come rapidly to the fore, and in 

 certain conditions of soil and climate are now proving themselves superior 

 to several of the older stocks. Hybrid No. 93-5, a Vinifera x Rupestris, 

 is proving of the greatest value in the very dry compact soil of Oran, 

 Algeria. Several other hybrids, some of which contain some sap of Vitis 

 Cordifolia and Berlandieri in their composition are rapidly gaining in 

 popularity and bid fair, especially in drier situations, to supersede some 

 of the older stocks. 



Vitis Berlandieri and its Hybrids. 



Vitis Berlandieri was first studied in France on account of its adapt- 

 ability to extremely calcareous soils. It was soon found to possess in 

 addition several other most valuable qualities; amongst others, strong 

 affinity for most European scions, thus insuring great durability for its 

 grafts. These are also remarkably vigorous and fruitful, and the quality 

 of the fruit is excellent. It shares with Riparia the property of diminish- 

 ing couliire or non-setting of the fruit, but is free from the defects of 

 that species. 



V. Berlandieri grows wild in the driest and most barren parts of the 

 State of Texas. It is therefore one of the most drought-resisting species. 

 Wherever I have seen it the vigour of vines grafted on it has been remark- 

 able, as also the quantity and quality of their fruit. Its one defect is the 



