9 Dec, 1907.] Viticulture in Europe. 715 



difficulty with which its cuttings strike ; this renders its propagation on a 

 commercial scale almost impossible. But for this fault V. Berlandieri would 

 certamly be one of the most popular stocks. This difficulty has been 

 overcome in an indirect manner by the raising of hybrids between V. 

 Berlandieri and other species which retain in a high degree the precious 

 qualities of the Berlandieri parent, whilst they can be stiuck and grafted 

 almost as easily as Riparias, or Rupestris. Among the most promising 

 of these are the Berlandieri-Riparia hybrids Nos. 420A, 34 E.M., 1 57-11 

 and 161-49. Several Vinifera Berlandieri hybrids have, like the other 

 Franco- Americans already referred to, proved .themselvesi resistant to 

 phylloxera. The Nos. 41 B., 333 E.M., and 62-66 are deserving of special 

 note. These Berlandieri hybrids are excellent for scions of faulty affinity. 

 It is probable that one suitable for the Gordo Blanco may be found among 

 this group. This fact, as well as their resistance to drought renders their 

 introduction, as well as that of a few others, into Victoria, exceedingly 

 desirable. 



Introduction of New Varieties both for Stocks and Scions. 



In my instructions I have been directed to report as to the desirability 

 ■of introducing the more modern stocks referred to above. From what I 

 have already seen I am of opinion that the importation of the latest stocks 

 is urgently needed. In Victoria we have not the high percentage of lime 

 in our soils which gave so much trouble in the early days of French 

 reconstitution. We have however occasional long periods of dry weather 

 and also in many cases stiff clay subsoils, both of which are undesirable 

 for the majority of American stocks. It is therefore of the greatest 

 importance that we should keep quite up to date and the importation of a 

 limited number of all the more promising new stocks for experimental 

 purposes is earnestly recommended. As regards those new stocks which 

 have proved their superiority and are no longer in the experimental stage, 

 I am of opinion tliat a sufficient number of rooted plants of these vines 

 should be secured to' enable plantations of mother vines to be immediately 

 made. If the decision to propagate in Victoria all the grafted vines needed 

 for Victorian reconstitution bei adhered to, a vast amount of grafting wood 

 will be necessary and the number of our mother vines will have to be con- 

 siderably increased. At the present stage it is unnecessary to finally decide 

 a; to which stocks should be ordered and my experience in hot countries 

 such as Spain, Portugal, and Algiers may somewhat modify the list. 



I beg further to recommend that arrangements be made for the imme- 

 diate purchase of sufficient of each new stock to permit of the establishment 

 of experimental plots in different districts. I feel sure that these can be 

 carried out with the co-operation of leading growers in each district, as 

 has been done in France, and that they would be the means of acquiring 

 the most valuable and reliable information on the subject. 



I also beg to recommend the importation of several French table and 

 wine varieties which would, in my opinion, be very desirable acquisitions 

 in addition to the importation of the choicest wine varieties of Spain 

 and Portugal asked for bv the Viticultural Society of Victoria. I am 

 •convinced that this latter importation will be of great importance to the 

 Victorian wine industrv. 



