822 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



account of its feebleness, and also as its resistance to phyloxera has not been yet 

 determined. It is multiplied in the Charentes and the south of France as a direct 

 producer. The grapes are very numerous, small, of medium seeds, compact, of a 

 peculiar taste, but not sour. The wine produced is bad. For want, however, of 

 better, the inhabitants of the Charentes mix it with other wines and drink it. It is 

 most remarkable for its fine vegetation in very bad lands. Whatever may be said 

 against Huntington it remains green and vigorous in lands of Groie where Rupestris, 

 Solonis, and Elparia are soon stunted. It is the same in lands where American vines 

 grow well; much better than Eiparia, York, Solonis, Rupestris, etc., and which never- 

 theless grew finely. It is not to recommend its culture or to advise its use as graft- 

 bearer or direct producer, for it does not resist phyloxera well; but in calcareous soil 

 it is a vine least of all liable to chlorosis. The cause is unknown. 



Eiparia- Rupestris. This vine is an example of what has already been said, that 

 certain hybrids offer certain aptitudes which certainly were not transmitted from 

 their originals. Almost all hybrids are more vigorous than their generators. They 

 swell more and their branches are longer and stronger. They are better adapted to 

 bad soils than Riparia or Rupestris. Few of these vines have been grafted, but they 

 will not do it well and their trunk would rapidly develop, as we believe. The 

 swellings, so frequent and voluminous at the point of solder on Riparia, are never 

 seen, and it is thought that Eiparia-Rupestris , or some among them, will make excel- 

 lent graft-bearers. Other reasons, too, than these might be given. First, among 

 vines that grow well in very calcareous soil, like the Groie, are found just two of these 

 hybrids, Huntington and Riparia-Ramond. 



In a plantation in very poor, calcareous land some roots were more vigorous than 

 Rupestris planted under the same conditions by their side, and on examination the 

 roots were identified as hybrides of Ruparia and Rupestris. In very calcareous land 

 of Provence a Rupestris, result of crossing with Riparia, grew very well where many 

 vines planted at the same time are already dead. 



Nearer Cognac, in land of Groie, where the best of Rupestris may die, some of the 

 Riparia- Rupestris are very fine. In Ardeche, in soil of bad quality, of Mr. Couderc 

 Rnparia-Rupestris is remarkable. And I may be excused in my preference for these 

 vines by adducing proofs of their beauty in the worst lands of the Charente, as may 

 be witnessed in lands of Messrs. Foex, Millardet, and Grasset. All that have been 

 cultivated in our experimental fields have a fine vegetation in Champagne, a few only 

 have turned a little yellow ; it is not believed, however, that they will be good graft- 

 bearers for these lands. But, on the other hand, in lands of Groie they may be used 

 without apprehension. In fact, they have a marvelous vegetation and surpass the 

 finest species of Franco-American hybrids. All are not equally fine, it is true, and 

 a serious selection must be made. Thus a Eiparia- Rupestris of Yaeger comprised two 

 kinds: one, more like Rupestris (its branches erect, shorter, and red-colored like 

 herbs), was the more vigorous ; the other, resembling Riparia, has longer branches of 

 yellowish green, prickly leaves; it turns yellow in land of Champagne, while the 

 first remains green. In addition to several well- selected specimens, upon \Mthich ex- 

 periments have already been made, we shall continue to make others known. 



Cordifolia-Rupestris. These vines grow vigorously in America, and also in some 

 parts of the south of France. Mr. Millardet has commended their use in calcareous 

 soil. But, in my opinion, it is an error, for they will not prosper. Several I have 

 had planted, both natural arid artificial, all turned yellow rapidly and died in a lew 

 months. They take better in land of Groie, but the poorest vines imaginable. It is 

 not known for what reason they have been recommended so highly. Mr. Millardet 

 maintains that they are adapted to flinty soil, cold and compact. But they have 

 failed in good garden soil, and no reliance can be placed in them, whatever be the 

 kind of soil. They are not of value either in chalky lands or in Groie. 



Rupestris ^stivalis. Of this vine we possess very few specimens. One did well 

 in lands of the south of France ; but transplanted in chalky land near Cognac, they 

 were stunted before the expiration of the first year. Nothing can be expected of these 



