BY J. F. SHIRLEY, B.SC. 103 



They serve as grafting stocks for European vines, the majority 

 showing a sufficient if not a complete resistance to the pest, and 

 for the most part they are not difficult of propagation. 



4. l7^/.s- iiiJ piud, hinn., is the muscadine or Fox-Grape of 

 the S.E. States of iVmerica ; and extends also to Japan, 

 Manchuria, and the Himalayas. This species includes as vine- 

 yard varieties the Bullace, ]klustang, and both kinds of the 

 Scuppernong. The berries are of a pleasant taste, but in some 

 instances of strong flavour ; they are the largest among American 

 grapes. All varieties derived from IVf/.s rnJpina are perfectly 

 proof against the attacks of rJiijllo.ina casta trlx : in infested 

 districts a few insects may sometimes be found on it, yet no ill 

 effects are ever manifested. This species must De raised by 

 seeds or by layering. 



When American grapes had won a reputation for themselves, 

 cuttings were sent to France, Portugal, and Germany for 

 experimental cultivation ; wherever they were planted the now 

 dreaded enemy of the European vine, PhijUoxcra rastatri.i-, made 

 its appearance ; and scientific in(|uiry proved that America was 

 the home of the destructive insect. The reason why European 

 vines always failed west of the Rocky ^.fountains was now clear. 

 With the native grapes it was a case of the survival of the 

 fittest ; those which could not resist the riii/Uo.rera became 

 extinct, Avhile the species found flourishing by European 

 settlers were f'/n/lhi.rera proof ; the insects attacked them but 

 their vitality was not impaired. The co-existence of the vine 

 and the insect since time immemorial, the struggle which was 

 carried on between them, must have necessitated, as a con- 

 sequence, the formation of vines capable of resistance. 



The French vineyards having been ruined by an American 

 insect, it was from America that relief was obtained. That 

 Southern France is now a vine producing country is solely due 

 to the use of Phillnxera resisting Ameriean grape stocks, upon 

 which the well-known French vineyard varieties are grafted. 



Having shown at length what has been done in America, 

 mainly within the present century, I have now to point out that 

 in Queensland we have flfteen species of native grapes, none of 



