22 



Gros Colman has turned out a failure ; it produces large quantities 

 of big bunches which have large berries up to the time when they 

 begin to colour, when they split and fall off. Monukka and Treb- 

 biano have also been given an extensive trial but have failed to 

 produce any fruit." 



And again in the Annual Report for 1898-99: — "The grape 

 vines bore a large summer crop which commenced to ripen about 

 the middle of May and lasted until the end of July. The variety 

 first to ripen was Raisin de Calabre, and after that Foster's Seedling. 

 The Muscat Hamburgh turned out fairly well, as did also Royal 

 Ascot and Black Prince, but of the black varieties, Alicante appears 

 to be best suited to the Hope climate, as it is the only variety not 

 attacked by mildew. The Muscat of Alexandria has again proved 

 to be the best of the white varieties. Foster's Seedling is a heavy 

 cropper." 



The Rev. Mr. Griffith writes : — " Madresfield Court is a mag- 

 nificent grape and it is a pity that it does not do well with us. A 

 handsomer grape when well grown cannot be found, and for quality 

 it is difficult to beat. Foster's Seedling is very fruitful but requires 

 a great deal of care and is only a second-class grape when at its 

 best, but where grapes are in demand, and earliness with good 

 looks count, it is worth while to grow. Muscat of Alexandria will 

 give good fruit under any method almost. When cut back to one 

 eye (in pruning) the clusters are not large but they are compact, 

 handsome and heavier than they look. Pruned to three or four 

 eyes, the clusters will be larger, but looser and not by any means 

 so good in appearance. 



" Tastes differ and no one variety suits everybody. At the head 

 of the list we must put Muscat of Alexandria. The green shoots 

 in young vines of this variety are apt to suffer from ' black rot,' 

 but about half a pound of powdered sulphate of iron dusted over the 

 soil and raked in will remedy this evil. 



" As a second vine, where more than one can be grown, my 

 choice would be either Royal Ascot, Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat, 

 or Madresfield Court, Alicante or Alnwick Seedling. These are 

 all black grapes. Royal Ascot is a free bearer, the clusters never 

 turning the scale at over a pound, and oftener weighing from 

 eight to ten ounces, but the grapes are very handsome and the 

 quality excellent. Mrs. Pince is a Muscat grape having the same 

 flavour as Muscat of Alexandria ; it is a free bearer, and in every 

 way a desirable grape. Madresfield Court I have grown, but it is 

 difficult to grow well, and I have oftener failed than succeeded. 

 Where room is ample I would, however, recommend a trial. Aln- 

 wick Seedling is handsome, good flavoured, very fruitful and not 

 difficult to grow well ; the berry is quite as large as Muscat of 

 Alexandria, and it is a mid-season or late grape." 



And later he writes as follows : — "Muscat Hambro, one of the 

 most delicious grapes, is an utter failure ; it makes good canes, 

 shows plenty of bloom, but the clusters are skeletons. 



Gros Guillaume, commonly, but erroneously known as Barba- 

 rossa, is most handsome both in bunch and berry ; Lady Downe's 



