above the ocean and to tbe nature of their fruits we are almost utterly
without data. An herbaceous species of a tuberous vine, occurring
iu Soudan, is recommended by Mr. Lecard ; anotlier tuberous species
(V. Martini, Planchon) is noted by Mr. J . B. Martin as wild in
Cochin-China, the herbaceous stems being reproduced annually from
the roots ; both kinds bear excellent grapes ; the species from
Cochin-China forms long shoots, sometimes to a length of 60 and
exceptionally 150 feet, bearing grapes all along the branches.
Occasionally more than a cwt. of grapes is obtained from one plant,
according to General Haldeman. I t would be a grand acquisition
to tropical countries ; its ripe grapes are produced successively
through fully three months ; the berries are very large.
V i t i s L a b r u s c a , Linné.
The Fox-Grape. North-America, from Middle Canada to Texas
and Florida, also in Japan. A pale-fruited variety furnishes the
Bland’s Grape ; anotlier yields the American Alexander-Grape
[Torrey and Gray]. The Schuylkill, Concord, Catawba, Isabella,
Martha, Ives-Seedling, Hartford-Prolific, and a number of other less
known varieties are also derived from this species. Among these the
Concord takes the first rank as well for wine as for dessert-grapes in.
the Eastern United States, where it is cultivated more than all the
other varieties put together, although it has a strong so-called foxy
taste. I t is not quite proof against the attacks of the Phylloxera,
vastatrix, but suffers less than most other varieties of this species
[Planchon, Vignes, Américaines]. Many good aud fertile crosses
between V. Labrusca and V. vinifera occur in North-American
cultivation ; the Delaware-Grape is a hybrid from V. Labrusca
according to Bush and Meissner, and has in its turn given rise to
many other good crosses. The berries of V. Labrusca are large
among American kinds, and are of pleasant taste. Flowers fragrant.
This must he the species which was found already by the Greenlanders
who formed the Scandinavian settlement iu Eastern North-America,.
long before Columbus’ time, and who called the region where they
saw this Vitis “ Vinland,” bnt Vitis cordifolia reaches still further
north, without, however, yielding good grapes ; V. riparia also grows
wild further north. I t is the only species which thrives well aud
bears largely in the clime of Brisbane, according to Dr. Bancroft, so
far as hitherto ascertained. This and the other hardy North-
American vines seem never to be attacked by the Oïdium-disease.
Dr. Regel unites th e South-Asiatic V. lanata (Roxburgh) with this..
V i t i s r ip a r i a , Miohaux. * ( V. cordifolia var. riparia, A. Gray. )
FromCanada and the C entral United States to the RockyMountains
of Colorado, reaching naturally 52° north latitude, thus the most
hardy of all American Grape-vines. No other species will endure a
greater range of temperature, it encountering in some parts of Canada
a mean annual temperature of only about 34° F., where, however, a
maximum heat of 127° F . ocoasionally occurs [Professor Penhallow].
As the name implies, especially a riverside-grape, partioularly in
loamy soil [Hilgard]. To this species belong the Clinton, Franklin,
Taylor, Delaware, and some other varieties, perhaps also Vitis
Solonis, which seem more particularly destined to revive viticulture
in Southern France and other countries, where the Phylloxera
Testatrix has aunilirlated such a vast extent of vineyarfs. They
serve as a grafting stock for the European vine, the majority of them
showing a sufficient if not a complete resistance to this pest, while
they are for the most part not difficult to propagate. The experiments
hitherto made in Provence and elsewhere have given good
results, and the produce of tlie European Vine on American stock
has been found as good as if grown on its own root. Professor
Planchon places the varieties in the following order of merit :■—Vitis
Solonis, Clinton-Vialla or FTanklin, wild Vitis riparia, Taylor,
Clinton. The Tork-Madeira, which may be a hybrid between V.
riparia and V. Labrusca, is by some growers placed next to Vitis
Solonis, and answers well for grafting. The seedlings of V . Solonis
retain the typical characteristics of the parent-plant, which the other
varieties do not. More than half the resuscitated Vines of France
are grafted on different varieties of V. riparia, the best of these
varieties being Portaly or Gloire de Montpellier and Grand Glabre or
Arnaud, though Vitis rupestris surpasses them all in valne [Professor
Millardet]. To raise vines from seeds, the pips may he taken either
before or after fermentation of the grape ; the essential point is, not
to let them get dry ; they should be kept in a cool place and mixed
with sand to prevent mould. For transmission to great distances
they should be sent dried in the peel and pulp to insure the preservation
of their vitality. Mr. George Knight, of Bendigo, proved
th a t seeds of Phylloxera-resisting Vines would germinate still in the
second year after sowing. Several French cultivators recommend
grafting “ by approach.” For this purpose an American and an
European vine are planted side by side ; early in spring, when the
shoots are about the size of a small goose-quill, two from the different
stocks are brought together, and in the most convenient place a slice
is taken out of the bark and the outer portion of the wood of each,
ahout half an inch in length, care being taken that the two surfaces
exactly fit each other ; they have only to be tied together, the sap,
which is then at the height of its flow, soon closing up the wound ;
the American shoot is pinolied off when it has made three or four
leaves ; the following winter the root of V. vinifera is cut off.
Phylloxera-galls are frequently found on the leaves of V. riparia
as well as of V. æstivalis, but the roots are not so often attacked ;
if the latter happens, the wounds inflicted by the insect are superficial
and soon heal up [Planchon, Vignes Américaines]. Dr. M. T.
Masters mentions as a curious fact, th a t Professor Riley found a
species of Thrips (T. phylloxeræ) attacking the galls formed on
the leaves of American Vines by Pliylloxera vastatrix. Professor
A. Millardet, of Bordeaux, has, in 1885, issued an excellent illustrated