aiO THE M^DOC 



of a purely Asiatic species ; but North America owns 

 four native species of vine capable of producing wine. 

 It was among these that Phylloxera vastatrix was first 

 recognised in 1854, and it was through imported 

 American vines that this terrible scourge obtained a 

 foothold in Europe. The superior vigour of the 

 American species, and the fact that, although far from 

 immune from the Phylloxera, they sustained the 

 parasite without perceptible loss of vitality, suggested 

 their use as stocks whereon the more delicate European 

 varieties might be grafted. The experiment, though 

 costly, has proved completely successful. The old 

 favourite varieties in the claret districts Cabernet- 

 Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot vines unite kindly 

 with their transatlantic cousins, and now produce their 

 purple clusters as freely and as delicately flavoured as 

 of yore. The New World, which at one time seemed 

 to have ruined one of the principal industries of the 

 Old, has come gallantly to the rescue and atoned 

 for the injury inflicted by providing an effective 

 remedy. 



Whether or not the foreign stock has affected the 

 French scion so as to alter the fine quality of the 

 wine is a question upon which experts are not yet 

 agreed. This much is pretty certain, that no claret 

 has been produced equal to that of 1875, the last year 

 before Phylloxera ravaged the Medoc. 



