2 BULLETIN D03, U. S. DEPAKTMENT OF AGBICUT.TUBB. 
More specifically, the insect is a native of the Mississippi Valley, 
where the vines have developed a resistance to phylloxera, and such 
species as Yitis riparia, V. rupestris^ V. aestivalis, etc.. thrive, not- 
withstanding the presence of the insect. These wild species possess 
varying degrees of immunity and through scientific selection and 
hybridization have yielded types of vines possessing inherent de- 
grees of immunity, known to viticulture as resistant vines, or re- 
sistant stocks when designated as a root upon which to graft com- 
mercial varieties of grapes in order to circumvent the ravages of 
phylloxera. 
Vitis calif ormca is a wild species of vine found not only in Cali- 
fornia but throughout the Pacific coast. Because normally found free 
of phylloxera in its wild state, it was at one time tried out as a 
resistant stock upon which to graft commercial varieties, but proved 
a complete failure in all but one or two instances. Even under normal 
conditions and environment, when once attacked it succumbs to the 
injury by the insect. 3 
The Mission grape is a cultivated variety of Vitis vhnfera. and 
although of European origin, its introduction to the Pacific coast is 
so intimately related with the first settlement of California under 
Spanish rule that it well deserves the oft-attributed title of a Cali- 
fornia grape" (7)*. The Mission grape was introduced into Cali- 
fornia by the Padres of the Roman Catholic missions. As early as 
1524 (IS. p. 17). while Cortez was governor of Mexico, then called 
Xew Spain, seeds and plants were most often part of the cargo 
of vessels plying between the mother country and her colonies. 
Grapes and olives are plants mentioned as being among these. It is 
to be assumed that about that time Ytiis uirdfera varieties were intro- 
duced into Mexico from Spain 5 through both cuttings and seeds 
(1. v. 2, p. 131-133: v. 3. p. 613). 
3 In the Annual Eeport of the California Board of State Vitieultxiral Commissioners 
for 1SST. published in 1S8S. pages 47— IS. may be found the following : " While visiting 
Mr. EEagan's vineyard., we were led to examine an old vine — V. californica — which 
appeared like one infested with phylloxera. This surmise proved correct * * *. 
" The commission has often sought for evidences of phyUoxera on our wild vines in 
their native state, but up to this time none has been found, this being the first case of 
the kind discovered.*' (See "Literature cited (5)," p. 127. 1 
4 Numbers in parentheses refer to " Literature cited." p. 127. 
5 In this connection F. T. Bioletti. professor of viticulture at the University of Cali- 
fornia, writes as follows : " Xo one has yet been able to trace the Mission grape with 
certainty to any European variety. It is a remarkable coincidence, if nothing else, that 
a Sardinian grape known as the Monica resembles the Mission very closely. The Monica 
is said to be a favorite grape of the monks in Sardinia, and it seems probable that the 
missionary monks of Mexico, rinding it difficult to transport cuttings from their original 
homes, obtained seeds of the grape which they liked the best and that from the seedlings 
grown they chose the one which most resembled the grape they were looking for. If this 
is in accordance with the facts, the Mission is simply a seedling of the Monica." 
He further advances the suggesUon that the Mission might be a seedling of the Monica, 
as published in a report 1 2 « of the viticultural work of the agricultural experiment 
station of the University of California * * * 1SS7-1m:*3. 
