34 



'The cuttings may be grafted in a shed during wet weather or 

 in the evenings by any careful vigneron, and a large number can 

 be got through in a short time. The graft is simply bound round 

 with string or raphia, and planted in the same way as an ordinary 

 cutting. If the vineyard proprietor studies his best interests he 

 will do most of his grafting himself, as it will be more carefully 

 done, and the success of the operation more certain. Grafting 

 machines are going out of fashion in France, better results being 

 obtainable with no other tools than the grafting knife, and perhaps 

 a guide or two to make the angle at which the shoot is cut always 

 the same. 



Want of space prevents me from devoting more time to this 

 important question — all I wish to point out is that the difficulties in 

 the way of establishing a grafted vineyard are npt considerable. 



The question of the best American sorts to adopt cannot be 

 gone into properly here. It will suffice for me to say that many 

 of those most largely planted in France some years ago, such as 

 Chinton, Taylor, Concord, &c., are now no longer sought after, 

 most vineyards being now established on. some of the pure forms 

 of Vitis Eiparia and Vitis Rupestris, or hybrids between these two. 

 In limestone soils, especially in those of a chalky description, 

 these cannot be used, and Vitis Berlandieri or a hybrid partly de- 

 rived from it, or even having a strain of Vitis Vinifera bas to be 

 employed. With us there is nothing to prevent the employment 

 of Riparia and Rupestris, which may be classed amongst the very 

 best stocks. A hybrid between Vitis Cordifolia and Vitis Rupes- 

 tris may perhaps be one of the best for us, being at the same time 

 highly resistant, striking well from cuttings, and capable of resist- 

 ing severe drought. 



It has been suggested that the Government should take in hand 

 the propagation and distribution of American varieties. I fear 

 that it is now too late. The very considerable demand for cuttings 

 will render it profitable to devote private enterprise to their 

 multiplication. 



Where the Government can be of great assistance, is by keeping 

 some check upon those who propagate these vines for sale, as it 

 is to be feared that the temptation will be great to induce 

 unscrupulous persons to impose upon inexperienced growers, by 

 selling worthless sorts as resistant ones. The only practical 

 means of achieving this end is by disseminating the most reliable 

 information on the subject among the growers of the colony, and 

 by the establishment of a thorough ampelographical collection, 

 where different vines may be identified, so that purchasers may 

 take advantage of the protection the law aflTords, should they have 

 mferior varietfes sold to tbem under the name of a good stock. 



At the Rutherglen school there are, I believe, a large number 

 ot American varieties, and the collection could be easily made up 







