RESISTANT VINEYARDS. 



GRAFTING, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION. 



BY FREDERIC T. BIOLETTI. 



INTRODUCTION. 



There is no subject connected with grape-growing about which there 

 is more general demand for information in California than that of the 

 growing of resistant vines. Innumerable inquiries are received at 

 the Experiment Station regarding methods of planting, grafting, and 

 cultivating phylloxera-resistant vineyards. Several bulletins on various 

 phases of this subject have been published by the Station, but they 

 are all somewhat out of date at this time, and the editions of most of 

 them are exhausted. 



The two phases of the subject about which there seems to be most 

 pressing need for information are the determination of the best varieties 

 of resistant stocks for the various soils and climates of the State, and 

 the best methods of starting and grafting a resistant vineyard. 



With regard to the first phase, the Station is carrying on tests in 

 various localities and is gradually accumulating data which will make 

 it possible to offer some definite recommendations at a future time. 

 The questions of adaptation to local conditions and of affinity between 

 stocks and scions of various varieties are complicated and difficult, and 

 require much time and experimentation for their completely satisfac- 

 tory solution. 



With regard to the second phase we have a great deal of valuable 

 evidence drawn from the experience of growers during the last twenty 

 years and from experiment work conducted by the Station. Though 

 there is always room for improvement, we may say that the methods 

 of our most progressive growers of resistant vineyards are perfectly 

 successful in accomplishing the object in view. Unfortunately many 

 growers are not so successful, and many of the resistant vineyards of 

 the State are an eyesore and a source of loss to their owners. It is from 

 such growers that originates the statement that resistant vineyards 

 are a failure. Growers who have adopted proper methods of handling 

 resistant vineyards are enthusiastic in their praise. It has been demon- 

 strated here, as in Europe, that, as a rule, vineyards of vinifera vines 



