608 PROCEEDIXGS OF SECTION G". 



its attacks. They argued that unless it changed its food the pai-asite 

 ■would sooner or later 'destroy all the host plants, and so commit '" race 

 suicide." They set themselves the important task of investigating this 

 problem, and discovering, if possible, a x"emedy. Subsidised by the 

 French Government, a commission of the very best men was sent out 

 to study the question in the habitat of the insect. The result was 

 the discoveiy of resistant varieties of American vines, some of which, 

 with their selected hybrids, are now being utilised in the stiiiggle 

 against Phylloxera. No vines are actually proof against Phylloxera, 

 but they resist its attacks. The roots of such as possass a high 

 resistance are hardier and protected with stouter coverings, through 

 which the proboscides of tlie dreadful little parasites cannot pene- 

 trate Thus, their food supply is restricted, and a consequent limit 

 placed on their multiplication, such as does not take place on the 

 roots of the ordinary European vine. Then, too, in the truly resistant 

 stocks the injured bark is excoriated, and the root it-self sustains 

 no perceptible damage. The task of the parasite, under such cir- 

 cumstances, resembles that of the mythic Sisyphus, who . was con- 

 demned to roll up-hill an ever-returning boulder. The insect and its 

 host plant, the American vine, have been brought up together 

 during centuries. Plants deficient in the natural protection speedily 

 succumbed. The more robust and better protected were the best 

 equipped to carry on the stiTiggle. They survived. The species were 

 perpetuated by seed. Those seedlings that possessed sufficient 

 resistance were allowed to remain. Those deficient in their resistant 

 qualities were speedily weeded out by an inexorable law of Nature, 

 aided by the insatiable Phylloxera. The test was a severe one. In 

 this way a high standard of resistance was secured. 



After the important discovery of vines that could flourish in 

 spite of the parasitic insects, they were extensively introduced into 

 France for reconstitution purposes. An idea that all American vines 

 were equally resistant and suitable for all kinds of soil and varieties 

 of scions caused heavy losses in time and capital. Seedlings wei'e 

 used, and, as we know, seedlings do not invariably come true. The 

 resistance of the stock to Phylloxera must be established beyond 

 doubt. A vigorous habit is also indispensable. Adaptation to con- 

 ditions of soil and climate must be secured. In a certain soil eveiy 

 plant will succeed better than in others. One variety will thrive 

 where another would assuredly fail. By actual experience it has been 

 found that the degree of resistance of American vines largely depends 

 on their being placed in conditions most suitable. The grafting 

 affinity of the stock must also be definitely ascertained. Certain 

 scions will succeed admirably on one stock. Placed on another stock 

 they may either completely fail, or form an indifferent and short- 

 lived union. 



The " mother-stocks," as the vines are called that produce the 

 grafting wood, are usually trained on a trellis. The canes are care- 

 fully disbudded to secure the maximum of wood suitable for bench 

 grafting. In this work, as in all other viticultural operations, boys 

 soon become expert. At pruning time the canes are cut into suitable 

 lengths, tied in handy bundles, dippe^l in sulphate of copper solution 

 to destroy sporas of fungi, and stratified in sand till the time for 

 grafting. The stratification not only preserves the vitality of the 



