APPENDIX. 37.
The species of American vines most in vogue for grafting upon are, I am informed, Riparia, Clinton Vialla, Solonis, Elvira (which, without grafting, produce white wine of good quality), and also the Facquez (which gives a wine of the type of "Vin du Midi"), Herbemont, &c.
Various methods of planting and grafting are used, which I shall endeavour to explain as clearly as possible.
- American cuttings are planted in the vineyard, and after a year, at a time when the sap has risen, and before the buds begin to swell, the grafting takes place.
- By planting the American cuttings in a nursery to root, and, after a year, lifting them, grafting, and planting out in the vineyard; this plan is more certain.
- By taking two cuttings, one American, the other French, grafting the latter on the former, and planting in a nursery. After a year all those which have succeeded are lifted, and transplanted in the vineyard. This is the quickest method.
The graft is always below the surface of the ground, and, when done, loam or clay is covered round it in a cone to protect it, without using any mastic.
A clever workman can, with an ordinary grafting-knife, and assisted by another man to tie up, graft from 250 to 300 plants in a day.
Several machines have been invented for grafting; the one most recommended is the "Machine Petit," invented by Mr. Petit, engineer, of Lagon, Gironde. This machine is for performing the operation ("greffe en fente Anglaise") in a house or shed; it is placed on a table, and contains two blades––one for making the diagonal cuts, and the other for splitting. Price, 35 francs.
Machine Berdaguer, said to be not so complete as the former, but less expensive. Price, 12 francs.
Machine Leydier, for the "greffe Champin," which is a more complicated form of graft "en fente Anglaise."
Moule à greffe Teysonneau (12 francs), for grafting "en fente Anglaise," either on a table or on the ground; but when grafting in a plant rooted in the ground is practised, it is usually done by hand, as there is difficultly with any machine cutting so low down, and the knives get spoilt by the clay, stones, &c.
With one of these machines, when the plants are out of the earth, and can be operated on on a table, two men could get through more than a thousand in a day.
Japanese kaphia, previously soaked in a solution of sulphate of copper, to prevent it rotting, is much used for tying the grafts.
I enclose sketches of the above-mentioned grafts.
Vineyards planted in virgin sea-sand are said to be free from Phylloxera.
Mr. Armand Lalande has oublished a pamphlet entitled "Le Phylloxera dans la Gironde," which is well worth reading; and I may mention the following works, which have been recommended to me:––
"Manuel pratique de Viticulture," par Gustave Foer, containing much useful information and plates of various methods of grafting; and
Traité théorique et pratique du Greffage de la Vigne," par Aimé Champin, a very complete work on grafting.
CHARLES H. PERCEVAL,
Bordeaux, May 19th, 1881. Consul.
Sydney : Thomas Richards, Government Printer.–1886.
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