ilODEUX VlTlCUl/rUKAr. METiions. 600 



cutting', but also ensures a proper amount of moisture in the canes, 

 so that they are much more easily and satisfactorily worked. 

 Cuttings taken fresh off the vines at grafting time are often very 

 brittle owing to the frosty weather so prevalent at that time. 



Grafting is done chiefly by hand. The ■"whip-tongue" graft is 

 the most expeditious and popular. The cut is made as short as 

 possible, for the nearer the section approximates to the transverse, 

 the better it is, as there is much less tissue to unite, and wound to 

 heal. With this short section cleft graft tying is dispensed with, to 

 the saving of a very considerable amount of labour. 



Care is, of course, taken that suitable stocks are selected for 

 the varied districts, as well as for tlie particular scions required. 



Callusing is now done in seaweed and sawdust, as introduced 

 by M. Kichter in his world-famed nurseiy, and described by him 

 in the viticultiu-al journals of France. This metliod was brought out 

 to Victoria by Mr. F. de Castella, who visited Europe as a viticultural 

 •commission from the Victorian Department of Agriculture last year. 

 It is much superior to the old method of callusing in sand. Grafted 

 ■cuttings are carefully packed in boxes, which are lined with several 

 inches of seaweed. Spmce sawdust is scattered among them. To 

 pack them the boxes stand on end. When full they are placed in 

 proper position with the grafts vertical. They are then covered over 

 -on top to a depth of several inches with seaweed, and given a 

 thorough watering. After di'aining for a sufficient time, they ai'e 

 transferred to the callusing liouse, where they are kept at a steady 

 temperature of 72 degrees Falir., till tliey have callused. They are 

 then removed to a cooler building to ''harden oft"' before being 

 planteil in the nurseiy. 



The planting out is done in double rows 18 in. apart, with a 

 •space between of 4 ft. This enables the frequent cultivation that is 

 essential to be done by horse laboiu". During their teiTn in the 

 nursery the grafts receive constant attention. Pests have to be 

 ■g^iarded against. Watering must receive attention, and scion-roots, 

 which readily form, must be I'emoved, or the scion will grow on its 

 •own roots at the expense of the root-system of the stock, and the 

 whole labour of grafting will be in vain. 



The resistant stocks employed belong to several sjjecies of the 

 genus Vitis. Not only have various species been utilised, but quite 

 a number of hybrids, both natmal and artificial, have been obtained. 

 Some of these are between American species, and are known as 

 Americo x American. A great many experiments undertaken of 

 late years to cross the American with the European vines liave 

 lesulted in many meritorious hybrids being obtained. These latter 

 are designated Franco x American . As one parent is non-resistant, it 

 Avas long feared that while the resultant hybrid would naturally graft 

 more readily, yet it would probably be deficient in the most im- 

 portant factor of its usefulness — viz., resistance. Howevei', many 

 of these Franco x American stocks have for years stood the severest 

 tests, and have proved that their gain in grafting affinity has not 

 been secured at the cost of a feeble resistance. The species mostly 

 used for reconstitution ixr&Vitis riparia, V. rupestru, V. Berlandieri, 

 with a large number of hybrids. 



2o 



