CEPAGES. 163 



resistance to chlorosis in chalky soils. The experiments 

 made at the Viticultural Station at Cognac confirm these 

 anticipations. The hybrids of Riparia and Berlandieri root 

 from cuttings almost as well as the Riparias themselves, and 

 their resistance to chlorosis, without, perhaps, being as high 

 as that of pure Berlandieris, is very greatly superior in any 

 case to that of V. Vinifera or V. Rupestris. Assuming that 

 Berlandieris were not practically utilizable on account of the 

 difficulty of their propagation (which is not so), and that the 

 Franco-Americans remain without value on account of their 

 doubtful resistance to phylloxera (which might be), it is cer- 

 tainly the hybrids between Riparia and Berlandieri which 

 would, we consider, be the solution of the problem of recon- 

 stitution of vineyards in many chalky soils. We also think- 

 that Berlandieri X Riparia are destined to a great future 

 for many soils where the Riparia, without getting stunted, 

 becomes chlorosed, and gives comparatively small yields, and 

 where Solonis and Rupestris du Lot are not sufficiently re- 

 sistant to chlorosis. 



Millardet and de Grasset, Couderc, Malegue have already 

 artificially created many of these hybrids which are certainly 

 promising. 



At the School of Agriculture, Montpellier, sowings made 

 in 1890 with seeds gathered from Berlandieris originating 

 from the calcareous and chalky soils of the extreme north 

 of Texas have given us forms of Berlandieri, and very dis- 

 tinct forms of hybrids between Riparia and Berlandieri. 

 Amongst the latter we selected two forms, one glabrous 

 (No. 33) the other tomentose (No. 34), of very great vigour, 

 resistant to phylloxera, and rooting freely. We cannot yet 

 fix their real value in respect to resistance to chlorosis in 

 chalky soils ; this resistance, however, seems probable, and the 

 trials now being made in the chalky soils of Champagne and 

 Cognac will shortly settle this definitely* ; meanwhile, here 

 are the principal characters of the two forms: 



Berlandieri X Riparia No. jj E cole. Stump strong and 

 vigorous, spreading habit; canes straight, cylindrical/ thick 

 and strong, little ramified, internodes rather short, ribs 

 vaguely indicated and deeper in colour on the lignified canes, 



* Since this second edition appeared (i8g6> the Riparias X Berlandieris have 

 proved to be of great value all through France for calcareous soils containing 

 less than 15 per cent, of carbonate of lime; these stocks are actually in great 

 use, specially the 3 4?Ecole, 4 20A Millardet and 157-11 Couderc. (P. V. 1900.) 



