17 



CHAPTER III. 



HYBRIDISING AND RAISING VINES FROM SEEDS. 



are so easily propagated from cuttings, etc., as already 

 explained, that the raising of them from seeds is not often had 

 recourse to, except for the purpose of obtaining new varieties. 

 The varieties of Grapes usually reproduce themselves from seed, that is 

 to say, if the seed of a certain variety be sown, that same variety will 

 most likely be raised from it. They only vary to a limited extent, 

 unless they are artificially impregnated. A seedling Vine may 

 perchance have a little more vigour in its constitution, and so for a 

 time produce larger fruit, and, consequently, be considered a distinct 

 variety ; hence, many Grapes have been sent out as distinct, but which 

 ultimately have proved to be nothing but the old sorts. Unless great 

 care has been taken to properly cross-fertilise the flowers, the chances 

 are a hundred to one that nothing new will be obtained. 



The flower of the Grape Vine is so constituted that its self-fertili- 

 sation, or fecundation by its own pollen is, in general, easily and 



be 



FLOWER OF THE GRAPE VINE (ENLARGED). 



readily accomplished, provided the pollen and the stigma be in fit 

 condition at the same time. There is, however, except in a few 

 varieties, almost always an abundance of pollen, and circumstances 

 being favourable, there are not many that do not set every 

 flower in a natural manner. It is in this facility of self-fertilisation 

 that, in a great measure, lies the difficulty of its cross-fertilisation, 

 although the visits of flies and other insects to the flowers in search 

 of the nectar secreted by the green glands at the base of the ovary, 

 see fig. 7 c and d, must undoubtedly bring about cross fertilisation in 

 some cases, 



