we 7 
652 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
McCampbell, 2 miles back of Corpus Christi, on elevated ground, where inland 
influences prevail the varieties of V. labrusca were a failure. His best success is 
with varieties of the Herbemont type. In ail of these vineyards there are several 
varieties of V. vinifera growing in great luxuriance and productiveness. Unfortu- 
nately few cultivators have a correct nomenclature for their grapes. There seems 
to be no phylloxera in that region. : 
In the vineyard of Mr. Hatch at Ingleside the V. vinifera are said to ripen well 
on an average of about every alternate year. Of the remaining crops the loss from 
rot varies from 20 per cent. to total, while under more inland influences the rot is 
less severe. The decay seems to depend upon the amount of dew or rain during the 
ripening season. 
t is interesting to note that the very loose sand of Ingleside is such that phylloxera 
can not work in it, and therefore a whole section of about 25 square miles may be 
expected to be always proof against phylloxera. The bearing of this fact upon the 
value of the Locality for the production of raisins is interesting to the country, as 
phylloxera will no doubt finally infest every soil of the country suited to their pres- 
ence. Itis also an encouraging reflection that the varieties of V. vinifera that may 
be found generally suited to the climate can probably be preserved upon stocks of 
the V. rupestris, which is indigenous to portions of Texas. 
At Point Isabella and Brownsville, varieties of the European type were formerly 
successful. But now these varieties are all either dead or in a dying condition in 
every case which I could find, while Lenoir and Herbemont (both proof against 
phylloxera) flourish in perfection. It was inferred from appearances that the V. 
vinifera died from phylloxera, but I did not have lenses to investigate closely. 
At Matamoras the same state of grape culture exists. 
At Laredo, Tex., I examined many plantations of grapes. I found V. vinifera 
varieties composing the bulk of the plantings there. The few plantings of Herbe- 
mont type were entirely promising. The growth of these two classes is vigorous and 
the plants productive. There appeared no evidence of phylloxera at Laredo. This 
is a high region with the atmospheric condition of the arid country around it. 
V. vinifera and Herbemont types represent all of the successful plantings at Laredo. 
Isaw many plantings of different types, which were evident failures. 
Whatever may in the future be supplied to southwestern Texas from combina- 
tions between indigenous classes or classes that may prove adapted it is very plain 
that, aside from varieties of the V. vinifera and Herbemont types, we have nothing 
now that will give success in the extreme Southwest except under local conditions. 
The Herbemont and Lenoir, both of which are purely wine grapes, seem better 
adapted and hardier than any other varieties. In fact these varieties succeed in 
the utmost perfection and make of nearly the entire State of Texas a natural wine- 
producing region of enormous capacity, if it should ever be developed in that direc- 
tion. Of these two varieties the Lenoir attains its greatest success in the southwest, 
and will probably not prove successful in northern Texas, while the Herbemont 
region seems to cover the entire State. There are a number of new seedlings of 
this type, also others of various combinations now on trial, which present possibili- 
ties of vast service in the future. 
Respectfully submitted. 
G. ONDERDONE, 
Special Agent. 
Hon, Norman J. COLMAN, 
Commissioner of Agriculiure. 
