20 Journal of Agriculture. [8 Jan., 1908. 



Popular Stocks in Cooler Regions. 



Climatic reasons cause the estimation in which the principal American 

 stocks are held to be sometimes different in the cooler districts from what it 

 is in the warm south. The most notable difference is the esteem in which 

 Riparia Gloire is held. In soils which suit it, and which do not contain 

 lime in excess, it is very highly thought of. In Burgundy, large areas 

 grafted on this stock have been giving satisfactory results for twenty 

 years and more. The need for reducing the size of the vine in order to 

 secure maturitv of fruit prevents long pruning, which leads so often to 

 the exhaustion of vines grafted on this stock. The want of durability of 

 the Riparia stock so often noticed near Montpellier is no longer com- 

 plained of in Burgundy or Beaujolais, though in Switzerland I have heard 

 it mentioned. On the other hand, Rupestris du Lot is held in verv poor 

 esteem. Non-setting of fruit is the chief cause of complaint. North of 

 Lyon this stock is not used to anv extent, though ic has been much experi- 

 mented with. 



The other stocks referred to in my first report give simiiar results to 

 those noted in the south in the soils which they prefer there, loi^^ for 

 Riparia soils, 3306 for moist, compact soils, and 3309 for dry uplands. 

 This last stock keeps up its wide range of adaptability. I have not yet 

 found anv one who has had any fault to find with it. Among the Franco- 

 Americans. 1202 and A. R.G.I are highly esteemed, though the latter is 

 rather difficult to graft. Nurserymen cannot rely on a high percentage of 

 first quality grafts. It is also stated that both these stocks ripen their fruit 

 a little late. So far as the resistance of these vines to phylloxera is con- 

 serned, the evidence of Central and Eastern France is absolutely satisfac- 

 torv. I have not been able to hear of a siniile instance where their resis- 

 tance has been questioned. 



One of the most curious facts I have noted is the popularity of a stock 

 known as " Vialla," in the Beaujolais district. This is a seedling which 

 grew in the garden of M. Lalimain, at Bordeaux. It appears to be a 

 Clinton seedling, and to have sap of Vitis Labrusca and V. Riparia in its 

 composition. Owing to the ease with which it may be grafted, and the 

 aifinitv it possesses for most European scions, it was very popular some 

 vears ago in France. Insufficient resistance to phvlloxera caused it to be 

 soon abandoned in the south of France, where it has long since ceased to 

 be used. Strange to sav, Vialla is still held in great e.steem in Beauio- 

 iais, and at the present day new plantations are chiefly made on this 

 stock. In the deep schistose and granitic soils of Beaujolais, and 

 in its cool climate, the resifitance to phylloxera appears to be 

 sufficient, and vinevards reconstituted on it over twenty vears ago are 

 still giving satisfactorv results. It is held by authorities in the district 

 to respect the qualitv of the wine more than many Americans. Another 

 reason for its popularity is that the leading cepage of Beauiolais — the 

 Gamav — is a bad scion. Considerable affinitv appears to exist between it 

 and the " Vialla." The popularity of this stock in Beaujola^'s is of 

 interest. It shows how local the value of any particular stock may be. 

 I should be very sorry to recommend its use, especiallv in the drier parts 

 of Victoria. 



The newer Berlandieri and Cordifolia hvbrids have not been experi- 

 mented with to any extent in these cold districts. These stocks are better 

 suited for the warm south, as might be expected from their native habitat 

 in Texas. However, I saw some vines grafted on Berlandieri x Riparia 

 420A in Switzerland which were doing verv well indeed. 



