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formation "concerning the behavior of native vines in the eastern 

 States, informs me that Riparia, Rupestris and Solonis, grafted 

 and ungrafted, on upland sandy s.oils in eastern Texas are 

 short-lived. They generally succumb after a season of a severe 

 drouth by what has been called root-rot by some. Why should 

 this be so? Our California experience, before we had this disease, 

 has taught us that these vines on such soils and under drouth 

 conditions much more severe than any occurring in the eastern 

 States were quite thrifty and long-lived, at least ungrafted most 

 anywhere. Considering our greater heat during the summer, 

 drier atmosphere and in consequence the more rapid transpiration 

 through the foliage of vines, this would be a singular phenomenon. 

 On Mr. Munson's nursery grounds Riparia Gloire de Montpelier 

 and Rupestris St. George are less vigorous than Solonis, 

 Doaniana and other native vines. This also is contrary 

 to our experience. What a difference for instance is 

 presented by ungrafted Riparia and Rupestric vines 

 in the Santa Clara Valley and such vines in the Santa Cruz Moun- 

 tains! While in the former they die off sometimes quite suddenly 

 after a few years' growth, in the latter this seldom occurs and it 

 is only the unthrifty growth of a vine here and there which leads 

 one to suspect as cause, either direct or indirect, the disease. 

 How much greater should be the difference between any part of 

 California and any of the eastern States where the heat is less 

 intense and the atmosphere less dry, in regard to the visible 'signs 

 of the disease. 



In the second place the distribution of the native American 

 species over the eastern States can not be explained by adaptation 

 alone, accepting the word adaptation here in its narrow sense, 

 as it is generally understood. Wy should not the free-growing 

 Riparia and Rupestris flourish much better in Florida and Georgia 

 or adjoining States on sandy or gravelly creek beds than in those 

 regions, where they do occur and where climatic conditions for a 

 vigorous and rapid growth of the grape vine are much less favor- 

 able, if it was not for the fact that conditions for the developmnet 

 of the disease are also much more favorable in the former States. 

 The distribution of grape seeds through birds is unlimited, where- 

 ever there is land connection. Riparia and Labrusca are natives 

 of eastern States, where heavy frosts occur. Considering their 

 great hardiness to frost and the shallowness of their roots, it is 

 not unlikely that this assists them in fighting their battle for 



