SELECTION OF HEALTHY CUTTINGS FOR SCIONS 13 



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V. vinifera.This last, but not least, on account of its large and 

 spreading roots and great adaptation to different soils; it also sup- 

 plies a greater affinity and homogeneousness to the stock with its 

 Vinifera top. The stronger the root system and the closer the rela- 

 tion between stock and graft, the better are the chances of suc- 

 cess. A hybrid like Aramon Rupestris No. II may give fairly good 

 results, where proper irrigation can be practiced, but I believe, 

 hardier stocks than this or Riparia will prove more profitable, as 

 less water will be required and a better quality of fruit obtained. 



It is always safest to employ several different resistant stocks 

 for the same Vinifera variety with special reference, of course, to 

 their like or dislike of existing soil conditions and to their affinity 

 to intended grafts, as our experience in this line is too limited to 

 tell to a certainty, what stock will prove the most successful, and 

 so serious losses are avoided and in course of time a good deal of 

 practical knowledge is gained. All we can do at present is giving 

 the Viniferas a root, which is hardy against moisture changes in 

 the soil and resistant to Phylloxera. What stock will exercise the 

 greatest influence on the grafts in regard to good behavior and 

 longevity of vine, only time will tell. With proper grafting-stocks 

 and selection of healthy cuttings for scions, as will be ex- 

 plained immediately below this, better results should be 

 obtained than have been with the first importations from Europe, 

 not considering other preventive measures, which we can take. 

 The four species Candicans, Cineria, Cordifolia and Berlandieri 

 attain large size and have great vigor in their native home, but 

 make only a sluggish growth under California climatic conditions. 

 Their value is in hybridization with species which grow too freelv 

 during the forepart of summer. Those hybrids which take more 

 after the named species in their habit of growth, will very likely be 

 valuable for hot interior locations or places, where the California 

 vine disease has been very destructive, while hybrids, taking more 

 after Vinifera, Riparia, etc., will have the greatest value for cool, 

 moist coast mountain regions, or where vines like Petite Sirah, 

 Beclan and Cabernet are intended for grafts and have too little 

 vigor on their own roots. 



2. Method. Selection of Healthy Cuttings for Scions. 



This is probably the most serious part of the problem, as it will 

 be difficult in a good many parts of California to get such. The 

 disease does not come as suddenly with a good many varieties as 

 is generally supposed. The Muscat of Alexandria, for instance, 

 will bear heavy crops with me for years, after having sustained its 

 first attack. Others like Black Ferrara succumb more quickly. 

 Yellow or brown spots on the leaves during the latter part of the 

 summer are generally a sure symptom that the vine has suffered 

 an attack. With some varieties the leaves curl up and the spots 

 are very small. The fruit and the wood fails to mature and develop 

 properly, the berries being sour and of small size. The following 

 spring, according to the severity of the attack, the vine makes only 

 a small growth or none at all. If the attack was very light, the 



