470 Journal of Agrictdiurc. [ii July, 1910. 



THE WINE INDUSTRY IN SOUTHERN FRANCE. 



Department of Herault. 



{Continued from page J20.) 



F. de Castella, Government Viticultnrist. 



Ampelographical Notes. 



Situation, soils and climate having been dealt with in previous issues, 

 the not less important factor of variety, must next be considered. 



We have already seen how different is the Vin Ordinaire of Herault 

 from the wines we produce in Victoria. The influence of the varieties of 

 vines grown has a considerable bearing on this difference. 



Reconstitution has somewhat complicated the question, and in the vine- 

 yards of the present day we have not only to consider the varieties which 

 yield the wine, but also the resistant stocks upon which these must hence- 

 forth be grafted. 



Stocks. 



The leading stocks in use in the Midi have already been dealt with at 

 length {Journal for November, 1907). The vital importance of this phase 

 of the question led me to make it the subject of my first progress report. 

 Before proceeding to consider the scion varieties of the region a few addi- 

 tional notes must here be made concerning resistant stocks. 



Shortly before my return to Montpellier, in January, 1908, I received 

 copies of the Journals in which my first progress report had appeared. I 

 was thus able to submit it to recognised authorities and obtain an expression 

 of opinion as to the accuracy of the views expressed. The only point to 

 which exception was taken was the manner in which I had summed up the 

 evidence concerning Rupestris du Lot. In the opinion of several leading 

 viticultural men I had been unduly severe on this well-known stock. M. 

 Richter, in particular, was of this opinion. Being one of the leading vine 

 nurserymen of Europe, his opinion is of great value. From orders re- 

 ceived, he is in an excellent position to gauge the popularity of the different 

 stocks. The relative proportions of the leading ones ordered from him in 

 1908 were as follow: — 



On Rupestris du Lot ... ... ... ... 65 per cent. 



On Riparia ■ Rupestris hybrids — mainlv 3309 ... 18 per cent. 



On Riparia Gloire ... ... ... ... 10 per cent. 



On other stocks ... ... ... ... ... 7 per cent. 



The tendency was for the orders for vines grafted on other stocks to in- 

 crease, and for those on Riparia Gloire to decrea.se. This rough analysis 

 of orders received is eloquent testimony to the wonderful popularity of 

 Rupestris du Lot, not only in the neighbourhood of Montpellier, but else- 

 where also, for, as has been already stated, the orders received come from 

 all over the world. In soils which suit it, and, judging from its marve\- 

 lous popularity near Montpellier, the .soils of this neighbourhood suit it 

 admirably, it is a stock of undoubted value. Thrifty and doing well in 

 poor .soils in which, owing to its great vigour and powerful root system, 

 vines grafted on it can continue to produce sufficient crops for many years 

 with the aid of less abundant manuring than is required by several other 

 stocks. It is an ideal stock for poor soils, provided they are sufficiently 

 penetrable for its root system to become firmly established. 



