Experiment Station Report, 26:137-138 (1912)

On the duration of grafted vines and means of prolonging it, G. Couderc (Prog. Agr. et Vit. (Ed. l’Est-Centre), 32 (1911), Nos. 40, pp. 396-407; 41, pp. 426-435, fig. 1).—A paper on this subject, in which the author presents a number of instances to show that the grafted vineyard in general has a limited and inferior duration to that of the old vineyards.

He concludes that all of the American vines are attacked by phylloxera and that they will all succumb to the attack when the cultural conditions are unfavorable. A number of these stocks, however, are sufficiently immune to make superior and durable vineyards under proper cultural treatment. To prolong the life of grafted vines, he advocates deep working of the soil and liberal nourishment of the plants every 3 or 4 years with heavy applications of stable manure, supplemented by commercial fertilizers. This enables the vines to develop a vigorous supply of new roots and thus overcome the attacks of the phylloxera.

Another means of prolonging the line of the vines is by employing the "adjuvant" graft, or the use of 2 stocks for 1 scion. Experiments with companion stocks have shown that they have a greater period of duration than either of the stocks used alone. By using a series of "adjuvant" stocks, the author has been able to flower and fruit vine cuttings the first season. This is accomplished by grafting a stock having one internode and a good root system under each eye along the length of the cutting, which remains in a horizontal position.