172 AMERICAN VINES. 



development when planted in the place of Riparias or Ruper- 

 tris which had died from chlorosis. These hybrids have, 

 therefore, a greater geographical area of adaptation than 

 their procreators, being also more -vigorous and possessing 

 the same resistance to phylloxera; they, therefore, constitute 

 remarkable graft-bearers. 



In France, many hybrids of Riparia and Rupestris have 

 been obtained artificially. They have the same properties 

 as the wild hybrids, similar resistance to phylloxera (18), 

 similar facilities of adaptation. Moreover, as they have been 

 well selected, and cultivated for a very long time in presence 

 of phylloxera in very diverse soils, they may now be used 

 without fear as graft-bearers. Amongst them we will men- 

 tion Nos. 101-14 of Millardet and de Grasset (Fig. 84), 

 Nos. 3309 and 3306 of Couderc (Figs. 85 and 86), which 

 remain green when grafted, in groie soils of the Charentes 

 slightly liable to cause chlorosis. 



All the Riparia X Rupestris are not equally good ; and 

 it does not suffice for a vine to be a hybrid of this group 

 to possess the general most important properties. Some of 

 those we have cultivated are too deficient in vigour to render 

 any service, and must be discarded. Others too closely 

 resemble their parents, and may have their defects too strongly 

 pronounced ; the most vigorous varieties only, should there- 

 fore be cultivated, those that have been submitted with 

 success to the trial of poor soils. The most meritorious 

 forms are those we have mentioned (101-14, 3309, and 

 more especially 3306) ;* and amongst the varieties selected 

 by Jseger, the Riparia X Rupestris Gigantesque, which, how- 

 ever, is less resistant to chlorosis than the previous. 



These vines, which give remarkable fertility to the grafts 

 they bear, are excellent graft-bearers for all Riparia soils, and 

 even for soils where this vine suffers slightly from chlorosis. 



'C. HYBRIDS OF V. VINIFERA. 



(Franco- Americans.) ** 



The hybrids created by the union of European varieties 

 with different American species are very numerous and are 

 increasing in number every year. The complexity in the 

 union of pure forms already hybridized by crossing of one 



* These hybrids are found to-day in California nurseries and Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Stations. 



** Or Vinifera X Americans. (Trans ) 



