GRAPES 191 



iment was tried, first in one colony and then in 

 another, until it was conclusively proved that 

 American soil was not suited to the European 

 sorts. 



Later a solution of the problem was found 

 when it was discovered that a tiny insect on 

 the roots was the cause of the failure of the 

 imported grapes. The native sorts were im- 

 mune to the pest and lived and thrived and grew 

 apace, but the Viniferas from across the sea 

 perished as the white men used to perish in a 

 fever-ridden tropical country. This solution 

 came so late in the day, however, that the 

 growers had turned to native sorts which were 

 improved by selection until we have to-day an 

 enviable assortment of varieties all derived 

 from indigenous grapes. 



In California the European sorts are grown 

 almost exclusively and with great success — all 

 being grafted on native roots. The same 

 method would no doubt prove a success with 

 European sorts in Eastern America at the 

 present time, but with our excellent native 

 sorts of known hardiness there is less incen- 

 tive for the growers to attempt the cultivation 

 of the more tender exotic forms. The superior 

 quality and flavor of European sorts may be 

 great enough to tempt amateurs to grow them 

 on native roots in the East, and there is no rea- 

 son why such attempts should not succeed. As 



