CEPAGES. 8j 



(6) Varieties. The varieties of the V. Rupestris are very 

 numerous. H. Jaeger, who was the first to study the varia- 

 tions presented by this vine in the wild state, isolated more 

 than 100 types. The great interest that this species offered 

 as a grafting-stock for the reconstitution of vineyards, Mil- 

 lardet having drawn the attention of viticulturists to its 

 value in 1882, has been the origin of an important selection. 

 Besides, the Rupestris were being discovered and imported at 

 the time when great care was being exercised in the selection 

 of Riparias ; and it may be stated that the selection of forms 

 of this species has been carried further than for any other. 

 From this has resulted that most of the bad varieties have 

 been rapidly eliminated, and that in culture now there are 

 only very vigorous and meritorious forms of Rupestris. It is 

 necessary in the case of Rupestris, as well as for Riparia and 

 Berlandieri, to use, for reconstitution, only forms of the 

 greatest vigour. 



In a general way, great vigour, strong trunk and canes, 

 thick and shining leaves, are the best characteristics of the 

 superior varieties of Rupestris. All the varieties that are not 

 vigorous (those with thin, dull, and light-green leaves), should 

 be rejected from culture. If such varieties are used, failure is 

 certain. The selection of vigorous forms is, perhaps, as impor- 

 tant for Rupestris and Riparia as in the case of Berlandieri. 



The Rupestris is divided into two principal groups, sub- 

 divisible according to the character of the leaves. The first 

 group comprises the Rupestris, with comparatively small 

 leaves; their habit is generally, very bushy. The sub- 

 divisions may be established in this group. 



i st. The Rupestris of very bushy habit, secondary and 

 tertiary ramifications very numerous and erect, greenish and 

 without lustre during the herbaceous state, the principal 

 branches relatively short ; leaves well folded along the mid- 

 rib; margins parallel, almost touching each other, and plane, 

 appearing as if imbricated on the branches; they are often 

 thin, dull on the upper-face, and of a yellowish-green, 

 slightly shining, underneath. These forms are the least 

 vigorous; they easily lose their leaves, which are often spotted 

 with small and numerous quadrangular black dots. In a 

 general way they must be rejected. 



2nd. A group of Rupestris comprising the most vigorous 

 forms, with very large trunk, the principal canes strong and 

 more or less trailing, the secondary ramifications very 



