53 



ing to the time when their fruit generally matures, and also to the 

 length of time between starting into growth after pruning and the 

 fruit becoming fully ripe. 



Included in each of these classes we find representatives of all sizes, 

 colours and qualities 



In the first section are included all the " Frontignans" — white, 

 black, red and grizzly. When well grown there are few grapes that 

 surpass the Frontignans in flavour. They are, however, difficult to 

 grow well, the fruit is tender ; and warm, wet weather will ruin the 

 entire crop when ripening ; both bunch and berry are small and in the 

 desire for large, showy fruit these excellent grapes have fallen into 

 neglect 



'• Foster's white seedling" is another early grape, perhaps the very 

 earliest. It is a prolifio bearer and when well grown there are few 

 handsomer grapes. It also sets its fruit well and in thinning not less 

 than two thirds of the berries should be cut out which will enable the 

 remaining berries to attain a good size, and no weight of crop will be 

 sacrificed. The fruit is very delicate and tender, and when gathered 

 must be carefully handled or the cluster will be spoiled. 



So soon as the fruit begins to colour all watering should cease. 



The " Black Hamburgh," as its name indicates, is of German origin. 

 This is an early grape of the highest quality. As a general purpose 

 grape it may be said to hold the premier place among black grapes, 

 although for some reason it has fallen somewhat out of favour in re- 

 cent years. If pruned at the same time as Foster's seedling, its fruit 

 will mature three weeks or more later than that variety It does best 

 under close pruning ; the bunches are ,m >re compact and the berries 

 larger. It is impatient of heavy cropping ; the lighter the crop the 

 higher, as a rule, the quality and the healthier the vine. 



" Madresfield Couri" i ■ a grand grape in every way. "When well 

 grown, which is unfortunately sjeldom the case, it is almost without an 

 equal. The cluster is not large but the berries, which are a clear pur- 

 plish red, are very large and oval. Like " Foster's seedlings" it is im- 

 patient of moisture, and when ripening likes a dry, warm atmosphere. 



In the mid-season section we have " Alnwick Seedling", " Grros Maroc,*' 

 "Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat" and " Royal Ascot," all black grapes. In 

 the order of merit I give " Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat" and "Royul As- 

 cot" an equal first place, Alnwick Seedling the second and Gros Marocthe 

 last The first three are all free bearers. Royal Ascot bears immense 

 quantities of small bunches of big grapes, the bunches seldom weigh- 

 ing over eight ounces. When the fruit is setting not less than 70 per 

 cent of the berries should be thinned out Alnwick Seedling is the 

 easiest to grow and gives less trouble than an}'^ grape in cultivation. 



Gros Maroc is not a free bearer and is late in coming into bearing. 

 There are, however, few better looking grapes, and scarcely any so poor 

 in quality. It is largely grown principally, no doubt, for its good looks. 



Out of the section of ' Late Grapes' we have five that may be said 

 to head the list ; three are black, viz., Alicante, Gros Oolman, and Lady 

 Downe's Seedling, and two that are white : — Mrs. Pearson and Muscat 

 of Alexandria. Canon Hall Muscat and Bowood Muscat are regarded 

 as cultural varieties of Muscat of Alexandria. 



