MODBRX VITICUl.TUHAI, METHODS. 611 



Couderc) and 101-14 (Millardet and de Grasset). These were 

 obtained by the crossmg of Riparia and Riipestris. No. 3306 is. 

 adapted for moister soils than No. 3309, which succeeds well in dry 

 localities. No. 101-14 partakes more of the Kiparia strain in appear- 

 ance, but in actual practice is infinitely superior to it. Berlandieri 

 hybrids include a number of estimable and promising stocks, which 

 do not suffer from the presence of large quantities of lime or pro- 

 longed droughts. No. 420a is a hybrid between Berlandieri and 

 Riparia, and is regarded with increasing favour. The same may be 

 said of the hybrids 157-11 and 34e from the same parents. The 

 former of the two gives better results when grafted in the vineyard 

 than. on the bench. 



A ternary hybrid of considerable promise in our dry and heavy 

 clays is No. 106-8. This is from Riparia and Cordifolia and 

 Rupestris. 



Of Franco x American hybrids there are quite a number. For 

 years the writer advised the utmost caution in the use of these as 

 stocks on account of the European strain. Recent reports fronr 

 Europe, however, show that the best of them have stood the test 

 for a number of years, and are regarded as thoroughly reliable. In 

 Franco x American hybridisations several remarkable and inexplic- 

 able results have been secured. Thus, in Aramon x Rupestris Ganzin 

 No. 1 we have a valuable stock, which is the progeny of a non- 

 resistant European variety crossed with a now-discarded American 

 vine. That it should prove so useful a stock under the circum- 

 stances is remarkable, but its value has been satisfactorily proved in 

 both European and Victorian experience. 



Hybrid No. .1202 (Couderc) is one of the best stocks for Muscat 

 scions. It is a cross between Mourv-edre (our Mataro) and a 

 Rupestris. 



Hybrid 41b is the result of crossing Chasselas with Berlandieri. 

 Of the Franco x American it has the highest resistance to 

 Phylloxera. In its adaptability and fertility as a graft-bearer it 

 possesses qualities of a high order, which seem to indicate a 

 promising future. In these cases the presence of the Vinifera strain 

 has not enfeebled the resistance. 



Of other hybrids — and their name is legion — it is not intended 

 to treat. Only those grown at the Viticultural College Nurseries at 

 Rutherglen and Wahgunyah, and of which we have had practical 

 experience under Australian conditions, have been included. Othei's 

 are in our collections and ai-e being subjected to practical tests. 



A number of "direct producers" have been raised, but they are 

 not regarded with favour in Australian viticulture. 



Grafting the vine brings it into earlier bearing, and also 

 increases its productiveness. Why this is so does not appear to be 

 fully understood. Probably the slight constriction of the sap vessels 

 at the union of the graft acts similarly to the operation of cincturing 

 as practised on the Zante currant. 



As the yield is greater, it follows that it will be necessary to 

 give the roots a wider range by deeply stirring the soil before 

 planting, and also feed the vine by adding plant food. In fact, with 



