106 AMEEICAIs^ GEAPE GEOTVING 



our yineyards, but especially those of Euroj^e and Cali- 

 fornia, where the vmifera class had so far been cultivated 

 almost exclusiyely. It threatens now to sweep out of 

 existence that whole class, and it is a very noteworthy 

 fact, that from this country from which the fell destroyer 

 was imported into Europe, should also come the only 

 effective remedy so far found, namely, the introduction 

 of Phylloxera proof varieties of vines, which are found 

 chiefly in the cestivalis and cordifolia (or riparia) 

 classes. All other remedies, except inundation, seem to 

 have failed, and Prof. Planchon, in a letter to me, ex- 

 presses his firm belief, that the only hope of saving that 

 great source of wealth to the French nation, their vine- 

 yards, is in the introduction and general cultivation of 

 our Phylloxera proof varieties of the grape, first as a stock 

 to graft the vinifera upon, and secondly to cultivate our 

 grapes for their fruit, if they can find varieties which 

 will make such wines as the popular taste there demands. 

 With this object in view millions upon millions of 

 American cuttings and plants have already been imported 

 into France, and the demand is still as active as ever. 

 But the Clinton and Concord, which were first imported 

 for that purpose, have not proved satisfactory. The first 

 succeeds well enough, but is too ramblmg a grower, and 

 not even a good stock, on account of its tendency to 

 sucker, and the quality of its wine is not good enough 

 to suit the palate of the French connoisseurs. The Con- 

 cord seems to fail even as a stock, as its roots are too 

 near the surface, and it ripens its fruit and wood too 

 early. The hot summers there appear to affect it, and it 

 turns yellow prematurely. The Lenoir, or Jacques as 

 they call it there, for a time promised to be all they wanted, 

 as it was vigorous and made an exquisite red wine. But 

 last summer the dry-rot appeared upon it also, the Cun- 

 ningham and Herbemont have been imported largely, but 

 they fear that they will not be quite hardy enough for 



