10 July, 1916.] Portuguese Variclies of Vines. 401 



prove valuable additions. Some may even prove superior to, and 

 eventually dis])lace, some of our old(>r favorites Such additions or 

 substitutions must be entered on witli caution. Eeoent introductions 

 arc being regularly and continuously tested, by this Department, at 

 the Kutherglen Yiticultural Station, but the co-operation of private 

 growers in thoroughly testing these new vines is most welcome, and is 

 cordially invited. It is hoped that Mr. Burney's excellent initiative 

 will be followed by other growers. 



The occasion is, perha])S, opportune to give some extracts concerning 

 the true port varieties, their cultural and wine-making peculiarities, 

 from the writings of leading Portuguese authorities. 



An Explanation. 



Mr. Burney gives the writer considerably more credit than he 

 -deserves in connexion with the introduction of the port varieties at 

 Mount xVthos. As the planting of these may quite possibly mark an 

 epoch in our Avinc-making history, it is well that the facts, which in 

 themselves are interesting, should be here recorded. It is true that in 

 the course of his viticultural investigations in the Peninsula in 1907, 

 the writer was able to secure from the Real Companhia Horticolo- 

 Agricola Portuense, of Oporto, grafted rootlings of sev'ei-al choice 

 Portuguese varieties which were planted in the collection of the Kuther- 

 glen Viticultural Station in 1908, Avhere they are still growing. The 

 following sorts were secured: — Alvarcdhao, Bastardo, Cornifesto, Don- 

 zelinho do Castello, Tinta Amarella, Tinta Carvalha, Tinta Roriz. 

 Touriga. Several others, notably Souzao, Mourisco Preto, Tinto can. 

 were not obtainable. The vines, the packing of Avhich Avas scarcely 

 adequate for so long a voyage, arrived only in fair order; nevertheless 

 some of every variety imported, survived. 



The extensive plantation at Mount Athos is to be credited to the 

 initiative of Mr. Alec. Pi-entice, who, in 1910, managed the property 

 (then known as Emu vineyard) for Messrs. Prentice Bros. 'Sir. 

 Pn-ntice, who was then plncing a considerable order for grafted vines 

 with Richter's nursery at Montpellier (France), througli Mr. B. TT. 

 Bagenal, was desirous of obtaining some of the best Port varieties. The 

 writer was consulted as to the most suitable sorts. Port is remarkable 

 as being the product of a greater number of distinct varieties than most 

 celebrated wines. For the sake of simplicity, the follnwinc: four Avere 

 rccoiiiiiiciMled as likely to combine most of the qualities characteristic 

 of a high-grade ])ort : — Alvarelliao, Bastnrdo, Touriga. and Tinta eAo. 



^fr. P>affenal, who was then leaving on a trip to Euro])e, was com- 

 iiiissioiied l)y Mr. Prentice to secure the necessarv scions. 



After j'e])eated endeavours, he failed to do so from the leading 

 TiOndon Avine merchants, Avhose Oporto representatives, in liis opinion, 

 showed tlie same reluctance to part with any of their stoek as do Soutli 

 African ostrich fanners. Tn France he was mon^ fortunate, ^f. Ricliter 

 I'eiiur eventujillv aide to secure the desired scioTis throuijh nn ex-sfudent 

 of MojitiK'llier College then residitiL' in Portiitral. These scions W(>re 

 "■rafte'l in Richter's nurseries in Jiinnarv ;iml Pebrnarv, 1900. struck 

 '"n niir^erv in the usual Avnv, and ship{)e(i to ^lelbournc in cool storatro 

 in 1910. ' 



