482 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Nov., 1899. 
Viticulture. 
QUEENSLAND INDIGENOUS SPECIES OF VITIS AS A STOCK FOR 
THE GRAPE VINE. 
By F, MANSON BAILEY, F.L.S., 
Colonial Botanist. 
es of Vitis vinifera upon American species has been 
in practice for many years, and has been found advantageous in many respects. 
But with regard to using the Australian species of the genus, it must be borne 
in mind that these all belong to the sub-genus Cissus, and differ considerably — 
from the Euvitis, which, in addition to the common grape, includes many 
American species, some of which, besides being used as stocks upon which to 
aft others, have been brought to a high state of perfection by selection, 
cultivation, and cross-fertilisation. Our indigenous species of Vitis stand in a 
similar position to Eurifis as does the sub-genus Ampelopsis, of which there are 
American species, but it is not with species of these sub-genus that the Americans 
have experimented. Had they done so, we might, when advocating that our 
lants be experimented with, refer to their work. What I want to point out is 
that all the American experiments have been with species more or less closely 
allied to the common grape, while we, in taking our species in hand, have to 
deal with plants of almost a distinct genus; therefore we have a much more 
difficult task before us. 
The number of species of Vitis belonging to Queensland is about twenty, 
and these vary much in the size of both berry and bunch. Some record having 
gathered bunches 2 lb. in weight. Some of the species are gigantic climbers, 
while others form but rambling shrubs with hairy, prickly stems. They are met 
with throughout the length and breadth of the colony, and several form large 
am-like underground stems. If we undertake to utilise these for fruit we 
must first collect seeds of all the most likely species to serve the purpose, 
selecting only the finest berries ; carefully cultivate the plants thus obtained ; 
carry on a system of cross-fertilisation with the indigenous kinds, then with the 
American, and ultimately with the common grape. This must be the aim of - 
the cultivator, but it must be borne in mind that as the plants to be operated 
with are not closely related, the success of the experiments may not be all that 
one could desire, so far as the cross-fertilisation with the species of Huvitis is 
concerned. Work of this character requires great patience and thoughtfulness, 
and should be in the hands of one not easily disheartened by failures. For over 
thirty years I have advocated a trial being made in using some of the indigenous 
varieties of Vitis as stocks for the grape vine—but only as an experiment, for I 
do not expect, even if a union should take place between scion and stock, to 
find them as suitable for the purpose as the American species. 
Tue grafting of the varieti 
