1^6 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



Species. The roots are thick and fleshy, resembling Vinifera. The fruit, 



while pleasant, is too small to be of cultural value. It is too tender for 



planting in the open ground where the thermometer drops much below 



freezing. California growers state that it does not flourish in dry shallow 



soils. It is very susceptible to attacks of mildew, to which it usually 



succumbs when planted east of the Rocky Mountains. Califomica grows 



readily from cuttings. It is sometimes used in its native country as an 



ornamental on account of its highh' colored autumn foliage but is otherwise 



of no value. 



1 6. VITIS GIRDIANA Munson. 



I. Munson, Soc. Prom. Ag. Sci. Rpt.. 1887:59. CaWjornia grape. 2. lb., U. S. D. A. Pom. 

 Bui., 3:10. i8qo. 3. lb.. Gar. and For.. 3:474. 1890. 4. lb.. Am. Card.. 12:660. 1891. 

 Valley grape. 5. Bailey, Gray's Syn. FL, 1:426. 1897. Valley grape. 6. Munson. Tex. Sta. 

 Bui., 56:230, 239. 1900. South California grape. 7. Viala and Ravaz, .4m. Vines, 1903:50. 

 V. Californica, var. Girdiana. 



Vine vigorous, climbing: shoots scarcely angled, more or less covered with graj-ish 

 pubescence ; diaphragms medium to thick ; tendrils intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves 

 with medium to small stipules; blade broadly cordate, rather thin, entire or obscurely 

 three-lobed (sometimes distinctly three-lobed on young shoots) ; petiolar sinus usually 

 narrow, rather deep; margin with many small and acute teeth; under surface covered 

 with thick grayish persistent pubescence. Cluster medium to large, compound, rather 

 loose; peduncle of medium length, slender. Berries small, black, with tliin bloom; 

 skin thin but tough; medium to late in ripening. Sweet when ripe with a sharp 

 pungency in the skin. Seeds similar to those of Viiis californica. 



Girdiana was separated from Vitis californica by Munson in 1887. 

 It is closely allied to, and is by many botanists still considered a variety of 

 Californica. Wild hybrids with Vitis vinifera are frequently found in 

 regions where it is indigenous. 



Girdiana inhabits southern California in the region west and north of 

 Yuma and the valleys of southern California southward into Mexico. Its 

 northern limit is approximately the Mojave desert. The individuals of the 

 species are very numerous, covering shrubs and trees in the regions where 

 it grows. 



The species is verv suspectible to mildew and black-rot. and like 

 Califomica is not resistant to phylloxera. Girdiana is more sensitive to 

 cold than Vinifera. Analyses show that the fruit of the species is deficient 

 in sugar and acid. Girdiana is but little known but certainly is of no value 



