fc May, 1908.] Viticulture in Europe. 319 



Vinifera-American or Franco-American Hybrids as they are termed 

 in France. — This division comprises the stocks which are by far the most 

 popuhir and most widely used in all but the most difficult of the Afuera 

 soils where pure Berlandieris alone give satisfaction. Even in fairlv limev 

 soils of this type, containing up to 60 per cent, of carljonate of lime, many 

 Franco- Americanis gi\'e excellent results. 



Vinifera x Berlandieris. — Hybrids between Vitis Berlandieri and Euro- 

 pean " Cepages "" are very popular. These hybrids possess in a high 

 degree the excellent qualities of the Berlandieri parent, whilst its draw- 

 backs are consideralilv reduced. Many of these hybrids strike from 

 cuttings quite readil\. The majority of them grow with sufficient vigor 

 in their earlier years though their development is scarcely so rapid as that 

 of some of the other American stocks. So far as fructification, early 

 maturity and quality of products are concerned thev rank among the 

 verv best American stocks. ^lost of these have been raised in France ; 

 amongst those most largely used in Spain we find numbers 41 B, 33 A, and 

 333. The resistance of these \ines to lime is almost as high as that of 

 pure Berlandieris, and in all but the most difficult soils thev may be 

 looked upon as the most reliable stocks to be used ; 41 B is perhaps the 

 one which has been most largely planted, and it has given very general 

 satisfaction. 



1202 and A.R.G. I. — Among the other Vinifera-Americans (non Ber- 

 landieri), the l)est known are our old friends just named. These are 

 among the most popular stof^ks and have been used more largely than an\- 

 others. 1202 (Mourvedre x Rupestris) is generally known in Spain simply 

 as Monrviedro. It is used perhaps more extensivelv than any other stock 

 about here. It is capable of prospering and remaining green even in 

 prettx' highlv calcareous soil and is the basis of reconstitution even in 

 many Afuera soils. In all but the verv bad ones where Franco^ Berlan- 

 dieris or even pure Berlandieris can alone be dei)ended on, it gives ample 

 satisfaction. A.R.G. i (Aramon Rupestris Ganzin Xo. i) is known in 

 Spain is simply as Amnion. This stock does not stand quite so much lime 

 as the previous one and it is in the Barros and Arenas calcareas that it 

 finds its chief use. In all but the Afuera soils it is one of the most 

 popular stocks and is in manv cases preferred to Rupestris du Lot in soils 

 which suit both. Of the several different individual seedlings resulting from 

 the original hybridisation bv which this vine was raised, three only were 

 preserved. We have thus A.R.G. Xo. i, Xo. 2 and Xo. 9. A.R.G. t 

 is the one most frequently met with but there are individual differences 

 between the three which are worthv of note. A.R.G. 2 resists lime less 

 than A.RG. i, and this is the chief reason for its less, extensive u.se. It 

 may proA-e of value in Australia for it is said to be even more drought 

 resistant than X'o. i. Of recent vears A.R.G. 9 has become very popular 

 in certain quarters. It is said to be more vigorous than A.R.G. i and to 

 resist lime to the same extent but as in at least one or two cases, some 

 doubt seems to exist as to the authenticitv of the original vines from which 

 the cuttings were taken the question is a complex one. It would appear 

 that all three are stocks of value. I have secured authentic vines of each 

 and propose to test them side by side under Australian conditions. When 

 speaking of A.R.G. it is usually A.R.G. i which is meant and it is 

 certainly one of the mos*^ remarkable of the Vinifera-American class. 



Several of the newer French Vinifera-Americans are now being tried 

 in this district and are giving verv encouraging results. 



Two Vinifera-Americans of Spanish origin raised near Jerez are also 

 worthv of note though of too recent introduction for iheir superiority 



