818 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



than ordinary Riparia, and, in some cases, very stunted. In land of Groie, wherever 

 I have observed, it was deep green. 



Ripdria-Ramond is easily described. Its root or stem grows higher than ordinary 

 Riparia, but does not equal it grafted. The branches shorter, knit hard, of hazel-nut 

 color, as they ripen, red during vegetation, and this shade is occasionally found in 

 the veins or fibers of the leaves. The latter quite ample, opening like V, intensely 

 green on both faces, and bright. On the lower face the filaments are stiff as well as 

 in the veins and on the edges. These filaments are united at joints of the principal 

 veins or fibers. The teeth are large, slightly projecting, wall-crowned, unarched, 

 regular or almost so at the end of the limbs. The teeth facing the lateral and terminal 

 lobes are only a little bent. The grapes are small, short, and thick seeds, compact 

 and peculiar to the taste. 



All this proves that it is not a genuine Riparia. The form of the teeth, the shape 

 of the veins, the diminutive size of the stalks, and the hardness of the wood, its color 

 like weeds, as well as the form of the grapes, etc., are so many indications which, 

 seem to establish the relationship with Rupestris. 



Each time I have occasion to compare it with Ruparia-Rupestris, cultivated side 

 by side, it has always seemed to "bear the closest aualogy to these hybrids. 



Last year was remarkable for Riparias in calcareous lands. The number was con- 

 siderable. One of them is native of the Chareutes. According to the information at 

 hand, it grows in lands which contain over 60 per cent, of calcaire. But Riparias, 

 not grafted, and slips from them planted in similar lands and subsequently grafted, 

 quickly disappear. 



Another species coming from the North will also be vigorous. According to the 

 information acquired it does not sustain its reputation. It will grow, it is true, in 

 very calcareous soil ; but that proves nothing. 



As for those grafted, and which compose the small vineyards, the land is not the 

 same as those of Groie and Champagne in the Charentes. In some the subsoil is 

 clearly chalky, a tender turf, rich in chalk ; but it has already been shown that the 

 subsoil does not play a great role in the manifestation of chlorosis. 



The soil is quite flinty, red or gray, and the ordinary Riparia, as well as many 

 others, should certainly have prospered in it. 



Without limiting these observations to the vegetation of plants not grafted, a 

 dozen forms of Riparia and as many of Rupestris might be named, which have lived 

 for the past ten years in open ground of Champagne very calcareous and chalky.. 



The Taylor, Clinton, Solonis, and Yacquez were planted in these lands thirteen or 

 fourteen years ago, and do not turn yellow ; but none of these vines are grafted. 



Some have, however, been grafted in these poor lands and have done well. It was 

 done on roots of seven or eight years old, which had acquired sufficient strength to 

 sustain without much suffering the greffage. 



One of the ablest viticulturists in the Charentes has already confirmed this ob- 

 servation. He only grafts on roots of three or four years on the sprouts of a year's 

 growth cut down close to the ground. This may be an interesting item ; but o$ what 

 practical value ? And then it is not proved that these vines would live even grafted 

 upon vines of seven or eight years, after a few years of graftage. 



On the whole, after all that has been said, it will not do to try the Riparia (except 

 with prudence) so much recommended for calcareous lauds, for none have as yet been 

 proved in these lands. Riparia-Ramond alone is an exception. Yet it can not be cul- 

 tivated in the chalky lands analogous to those of Champagne. 



Rupestris. This vine has also been recommended I scarcely know why for very 

 calcareous soil. Perhaps the reason is that it has been seen growing vigorously on 

 rocks which border the rivers in the United States. But there are many species of 

 rocks, and even calcareous rocks, when very hard, are quite favorable to American 

 vines. Some of the waste lands in the H6rault are proofs ; and some calcareous chalky 

 lauds in Charente which contain 95 per cent, of carbonate of lime. 



