TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 109 



the good qualities of its parents with abundant productiveness. From 

 what I saw of it before, I was not favorably impressed, but by the kind- 

 ness of Dr. A. N. Coomes, of Cloverdale, I received a small box of grapes 

 taken from a vine grafted two years ago, which produced one hundred 

 and twenty bunches this year, produced by spur pruning on laterals. 

 The grapes arrived in poor condition, being over-ripe, and the following 

 is a description of the bunch and berry: Bunch cylindrical, small, 

 rather loose, not shouldered; Berry black, with blue bloom, round, about 

 the size of Cabernet Sauvignon, very juicy and tender, with the flavor 

 resembling its parent, the Sauvignon. The juice is very dark purplish 

 with immense color, so that it stains the fingers — the darkest I have yet 

 seen in any cultivated grape. 



These two grapes may be said to represent two extremes — the one a 

 pure white, with a heavy bunch and berry; the other small, very delicate, 

 promising for a very dark-colored wine, and especially for blending with 

 light-colored wines. 



As all new varieties are naturally hard to obtain and expensive, I 

 would advise our growers to use the few cions they can obtain for graft- 

 ing on strong vines, which will give them an abundance of cuttings the 

 next season— a much speedier and cheaper way to raise good stock than 

 buying cuttings at high prices. 



In reply to an inquiry relative to the value of this stock, Mr. Wm. J. 

 Laferier, of Cloverdale, writes: 



My dear Friend: Answering your inquiry about Dr. Coomes' Hybrid Franc, I will 

 say that I have seen it several times and even have modified the pruning at the beginning 

 of last March. The vine (two years old) is a graft of an old Mission grown under fruit 

 trees. It is a very strong grower, exactly similar to the Cabernet Sauvignon, of which 

 it has retained all the characteristics. The wood may be a little darker, but it has the 

 same nuances, same buds, grows the same way, of same size, and the fruits are much 

 alike, at least the bunches. It has impressed me deeply and I really fell in love with it. 

 Nevertheless, I would like to see it on its own roots before advising any one to 

 plant it extensively. In grafting the Hybrid Franc on an old mother Mission growing 

 under trees, Dr. Coomes has followed the queer idea of our much-regretted Mr. 

 Crabb, and consequently if the Hybrid Franc grows well even as a graft under such 

 conditions and treatment, what will it do under proper treatment and conditions and 

 the care of a true vineyardist, whether grafted or growing on its own roots? As an 

 answer to this question I would say, that if I had to start a vineyard I would try to 

 get as many Hybrid Francs as possible, as grafting stock or as direct bearers, but 

 especially as grafting stock, as I am sure it is thoroughly resistant. As a bearer it is 

 very prolific, for I have counted with Dr. Coomes one hundred and twenty clusters. 

 As a direct bearer it would be good for blending, but especially as a "doctor," for I 

 don't believe that alone it would ever make good drinking wine. But if ever it does 

 under proper management, it is the most valuable plant we now have in California. 

 For my part I think its best value is as a direct bearer, and will be as a blend for 

 Zinfandel, and if so Zinfandel is worth having, but otherwise should be replaced at 

 once by superior varieties. I am very much interested in the Hybrid Franc, and will 

 watch it and study it as much as I possibly can. Following is an abstract of a few 

 notes sent to me. by Professor Franc, of the nursery of the Department of Cher, France : 



" The Hybrid Franc is the product of seeds of Rupestris planted in the department 

 nursery in 1886. In July of the same year it had made a fine, vigorous, and straight 



