162 MANUAL OF MODERN VITICULTURE. 



sterile pollen. The pistil is well constituted and may play 

 the part of female flower, be fecundated, and form fruit, but 

 this circumstance occurs very rarely, and it is generally 

 abortive. This abnormal constitution of the flowers is fre- 

 quent with Terret, and certain wild Riparias. 



The flowers of certain varieties, such as Clairette, Gamay 

 (V. Vinifera), and Herbemont (V. ,ZEstivalis) are sometimes 

 double, this being the result of the transformation of the 

 pistil and the stamens into rudimentary leaves (Figs. 142 and 

 143). These flowers are naturally sterile. It is generally 



Fig. 142. Fig. 143. 



Flowers rendered sterile through the transformation of the pistil and stamens 

 into rudimentary leaves. 



in stiff, clayey soils, with damp subsoil, where there is an 

 excess of vigour, that these anomalies take place, but they 

 may get fixed by the use of cuttings taken from canes bearing 

 such flowers. Therefore, the best means of getting rid of 

 non-setting is to carefully eliminate all cuttings from vines 

 naturally liable to it. Another remedy is to graft non- 

 setting vines with scions taken from fertile varieties. 



2nd. Non-setting resulting from an excess of vegetation. 

 As we have already seen in studying the general principles 

 of pruning, an excess of vegetation is generally incompatible 

 with abundant fructification. The plant produces wood and 

 leaves rather than flowers, and the scarce flowers which it 

 bears are generally abortive on account of modifications in 

 their reproductive organs. These modifications are generally 

 due to chloranty phenomena. They are frequent with 

 Clairettej Herbemont, &c., but they are only temporary and 

 cease as soon as the vigour of the plant is diminished. The 

 means of remedying this accident, therefore, consists in 

 diminishing the vegetation of the vine by long pruning, 

 inarching, pinching, and annulary incision.* Experience has 

 fully proved the efficacy of these means. 



See Comte de Follenay, La Couhire du Raisin, Montpellier, 1892. [Transls.] 



