The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: May I ask you to insert that in Victoria are wanted large quantities of seeds of such American Vines as are proof against the Phylloxera, or as are fit to cope with that dreadful insect if used as sto...

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81.06.00a

Plant names

Vitis Labrusca
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Vitis aestivalis
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Vitis cordifolia
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Vitis vitifera
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Vitis vulpina
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Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to the Gardeners' Chronicle, 1881-06 [81.06.00a]. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/1880-9/1881/81-06-00a-final.odt>, accessed May 15, 2026

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'American vines for Australia', Gardeners' chronicle, 3 September 1881, p. 311 (B81.09.01). M had listed the species of which he sought seeds in a report to Government on Phylloxera (see M to T. Wilson, 16 June 1881), and this letter is dated to June on the assumption that he would have written seeking the seeds close to that time. It is introduced by 'Baron Mueller writes:—'.

May I ask you to insert that in Victoria are wanted large quantities of seeds of such American Vines as are proof against the Phylloxera, or as are fit to cope with that dreadful insect if used as stocks for grafts of the various sorts of superior European Vines. A list is appended from Planchon's Vignes Americaines .

Both Planchon (1876) and Planchon (1875) discuss the vines listed here, and their resistance to Phylloxera.

Seeds of such would find a ready and remunerative sale, or if sent to the Baron direct seeds of other valuable plants would be sent in exchange. Seeds fresh this autumn should be secured in America from the Grapes indicated. The Scuppernong in two varieties was raised many years ago in the Botanic Garden, Melbourne, from American seeds, as it is such a remarkable gigantic variety, and yields an excellent wine of its own.

1. : Scuppernong, Mich., Thomas. —Tenderpulp: Richmond, Pedor. No Phylloxera vastatrix on the root, Phylloxera galls on the leaves very rare, but stock not readily serving for grafting of European Vines.

2. : Herbemont, Cunningham, Nortone, Virginia, Hermann, Jacques Lenoir, as well as some other varieties. — Phylloxera on the root, but not destructively; galls rather rare on the leaves; stock fit for grafting.

3. : Clinton, Taylor, Marion, and other varieties. — Phylloxera on the root, but not destructively; galls frequent on the leaves, but without ill effect; stock fit for direct grafting.

4. : Concord, Ive's Seedling, Dracut Amber, Lozaella, Martha, Christine, York, Madeira, or Vorlington. — Phylloxera on the root, but not destructively; galls rare on the leaves; stock fit for grafting.

Besides these some Phylloxera-proof hybrids exist, originating from V. vitifera

V. vinifera?

crossed with American species: these, as recorded by Dr. Focke

Focke (1881), p. 101, has a list of crosses between Vitis vinifera and American species, with notes on their fertility.

and some other writers, are fertile; hence their seeds ought also to be secured for trial culture.