222 



POPULAR FRUIT GROWING. 



a large number of little known species in addition to those men- 

 tioned. Among them are the following: V. rupestris, V. solonis, 

 V. doaniana, V. Champini, V. candicans, V. bouquiniana, V. 

 lincecumii, V. aestivalis, V. berandieriana and V. rotundifolia. 

 Flowers of the grape. In the wild state some species of 

 grapes produce some plants that have perfect flowers and others 

 that have staminate flowers. Our cultivated kinds, that are 

 not the result of crossing distinct species quite uniformly, have 

 perfect flowers and no crossing is needed to make them produc- 

 tive. The sorts that have originated from the crossing of two 

 or more species, such as Brighton and Lindley, often have flow- 

 ers in which the stamens are reflexed. Such stamens seldom 

 if ever produce germinable pollen and hence must be supplied 

 with pollen from other vines. When this is not supplied the 

 flowers generally fail to set fruit, or if they set fruit at all it 

 is very small and seedless. 



Fig. 102. Flowers of the grape, a. Flower just opening, with cap 

 pushed off. b. Perfect flower, c. Staminate flower, d. Flower 

 with reflex stamens. 



Propagation. The grape is increased from cuttings and lay- 

 ers and, to a very limited extent in this country, by grafting. 

 In California it is considered good practice to graft the Eu- 

 ropean kinds on American roots to avoid the phylloxera. 



By seed. Propagation by seed is used for growing stocks 

 and to obtain new varieties. If vines are to be grown in this 

 way the seed should be at once sown in boxes of rich soil, or 

 in a fine seed-bed. (The seed should be saved from ripe ber- 

 ries). Cover it half an inch deep and protect by a mulch in 

 winter. The plants will make a growth of one or two feet 



