132 AMERICAN VINES. 



hybrids their specific properties. But here exceptions may 

 still be more numerous than in the previous case, on account 

 of variations resulting in the sowing of ternary, quarternary, 

 or more complex hybrids, from phenomena of reversion 

 and atavism. 



Finally, there is a fact, shown, we believe, for the first 

 time in 1886, by Millardet, relative to the creation of resistant 

 hybrid direct-producers. This fact is not so well proved as 

 the former, but our observations, together with those of 

 many hybridizators, seem to render it probable. We have 

 stated that hybrids between European and American vines 

 in which the American vine plays the part of male are 

 generally little fructiferous and very resistant, and that, on 

 the contrary, those in which the Vinifera plays the part of 

 male are little or not resistant and more fructiferous. The 

 fixation of the productivity in binary hybrids seems, there- 

 fore, difficult to obtain. Ternary or more complex hybrids, 

 with Vinifera as dominant element, may, perhaps, allow us 

 to attain this end, but their resistance seems very difficult to 

 obtain, if we judge from results actually acquired. 



It is, however, certain that sowing, without new hybridiza- 

 tion, the seeds of hybrids individual to the first degree will 

 enable us, more than any new hybridization, to obtain fruc- 

 tiferous and, perhaps, resistant individuals. The partial 

 variations, resulting from numerous and complex phenomena 

 of reversions and atavism, are produced in this case in a 

 much higher degree and in greater diversity; it is, therefore, 

 among these partial variations that we will with greater 

 certainty obtain fructiferous and resistant vines. 



B. HYBRIDS OF AMERICAN VINES. 



(America- Americans.) 



Hybrids of V. Labrusca and V. /Estivalis. The 



hybrids of V. ^Estivalis and V. Labrusca are rare in America 

 in their wild state; they are only vigorous in sandy and rich 

 soils. They have not been introduced into France, and do 

 not seem to present any cultural interest. 



York-Madeira. In this group we may mention, according to 

 Millardet, the York-Madeira (Fig. 69), one of the first varieties 

 imported into Europe, probably before the time of the invasion 

 of oidium. It is almost unknown in the United States. Its 



