II April, 1910.] The W'nic Industry in SontJicrn France. 



225 



\iticultural university of the world. From 1872, wlien this school was 

 founded, to 1899. 1.470 regular students had passed throui^h it. in addi- 

 tion to 635 Auditeiirs Litres. 



Though a full description of it. is not here possible, brief mention must 

 be made of the great part it has played in placing modern viticulture on 

 a trulv scientific basis, and especially in assisting in the great work of the 

 reconstitution of the vineyards of France on resistant stocks. 



It was founded in 1872, or shortly .after the fir.st outbreak of 

 Phylloxera in France (1865), and just about the time that the trouble was 

 reaching an acute stage. The now historic struggle with the terrible 

 insect lasted nearly 30 vears, for it is only in the " nineties" of the last 

 century that victory crowned the efforts of the vine-growers of the Midi, 

 who have alwa\'s led the wa\- in the pioneer work of reconstitution. 



In the final victory, so slowly and laboriously gained, the Montpellier 

 School has plaved a foremost part. Xor has its influence been confined 

 to France — it has been worhl wide, students fiom all parts have flocked 



5. THE SILK Bl'TLDING, MONTPELLIER SCHOOL. 



to Mont]jellier in search of most recent viticultural knowledge. In every 

 part of the world where the vine is grown, one meets its graduates. We 

 have several in Australia who occupy leading positions in the viticultural 

 world, either as teachers or growers. 



The late G. Foex, whose remarkable Cours Coniplet de ViticiiJinre 

 will long continue a standard work, was Professor of Viticulture here from 

 1882 to 1897, and for a good many vears Director. He was succeeded 

 in 1897 in the Chair of Viticulture bv Professor L. Ravaz. well known to 

 Victorian growers. Since 1885, the Chair of Technology (chiefly dealing 

 with "Enoiogy in this vine-growing region) has been occupied by Professor 

 Bouffard. The staff includes 11 professors and 15 lecturers, as.sistants 

 and practical instructors, in addition to the supervisional and clerical staff. 



The photographs reproduced will give some idea of the outward 

 appearance, at least, of this remarkable institution. Xo. i is a general 

 view of the group of buildings of which the school is composed. To the 

 extreme right is seen the main building, shown again in greater detail in 

 No. 2. On the extreme left is the viticulture building (laboratories, &c., 



