RESISTANT VINES; THEIR SELECTION, ADAPTATION, ETC. 35 



interest has been written on the subject. Mr. T. V. Munson, the sava*nt 

 nurseryman, of Denison, Texas, places them in a separate group, which 

 is nothing more nor less than the old " Southern ^Estivalis " group of 

 Engelmann. This Mr. Munson dignifies with the place of a separate 

 species under the name of Vitis Bourquiniana, in honor of G. Bourquin, 

 of Savannah, Ga., who has done good work in studying them. 



Without wishing to enter into the controversy, I will follow the ideas 

 of the best ampelographers, such as Millardet, Viala, Foe'x, etc., and 

 regard them as hybrids, as I think there is ample proof of this position. 



The Lenoir and Herbemont have a great affinity for the Vitis Vinifera 

 in grafting, which explains the fact that the production and maturity of 

 the grafted Lenoir and Herbemont are in no way hastened or increased, 

 as is the case when the Vinifera is grafted on the Rupestris or Riparia. 



Neither of these hybrids grow as readily from cuttings, nor do they 

 graft with the same facility, as the Riparia or Rupestris. It is a mis- 

 take, however, to suppose that they are very poor indeed in this respect, 

 as some say. There is, however, a marked difference in the percentage 

 of cuttings and grafts that take, and the difference shows the superiority 

 of the Rupestris and Riparia. 



Both of these hybrids stand cold very well. Their resistance (12) is 

 not great, but is sufficient in good soil in cold countries. In warm 

 countries they become, in many cases, so affected by the attacks of the 

 phylloxera that they either succumb, or become so feeble that after 

 some years they do not yield paying crops. In warm climates, then, 

 these two hybrids must have a rich, fertile, cool soil, or they will not 

 pay. There are cases in some of the warmer parts of the vineyards of 

 the world where these have been grafted for twenty-six years, and are 

 still thrifty; but in every case the soil was especially rich, deep, and cool. 



It has been established, after a quarter of a century of experiment with 

 these two hybrids, that they do not pay as stocks, except in some 

 slightly compact calcareous soils, such as will not grow either Rupestris 

 or Riparia. The Herbemont is especially valueless, either as a stock or 

 a direct producer. The Lenoir is more valuable, especially on compact, 

 cold blue clays, or adobes. As a direct producer the Lenoir is an 

 undoubted failure. Owing to its vigor on rich land and its deep- 

 growing roots it has in this State been found to do better on dry 

 land than the nondescript Riparias. This is not surprising, for a feeble 

 resistant is worthless anyway, and a feeble Riparia on dry soil is utterly 

 valueless. 



If used as a stock, the grafts that take the best and thrive are those 

 that are made on vines that are several years old six, seven, and 

 more. This is the reverse with the Riparia and Rupestris. 



The hybrids of Vitis Labrusca and Vitis Riparia furnish us with two 

 that have played an important part in the replanting of the vineyards 

 of the world. These are the Clinton and Vialla. The Clinton has now 

 been abandoned, except in very special cases not necessary to dwell upon ; 

 while the Vialla is still used in certain of the eastern, cold, granitic 

 regions of central France. In hot, and especially in dry countries, it 

 rapidly succumbs to the attacks of phylloxera. Hence it possesses but 

 little interest for California. 



