242 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [NOVEMBER, 



Although WO have not been able to introduce any new sorts likely to displace 

 the two old favourite varieties named above, it must be admitted we are making 

 very considerable progress, more, however, in improved appearance, including 

 compactness and symmetry of bunch and size of berry, than in superiority of 

 flavour, for doubtless it will be difficult to surpass the old Frontignans in that 

 respect. Many of the newer kinds possess some really valuable qualities, and are 

 often in many respects decided improvements on older sorts ; bat it is somewhat un- 

 fortunate, though not the less true, that most, certainly not all, of them have some 

 serious defect or defects, totally disqualifying them for general cultivation. "What 

 greatly adds to the difficulty of deciding which kinds are worthy, and which 

 kinds are not worthy of general cultivation, is the want of uniformity in the 

 development of the defects — in one place a variety being all that could be 

 desired ; in another with the conditions apparently similar, all but worthless. 



As the season is again coming round for selecting and planting vines, the 

 following remarks on some of the more recently introduced sorts may not be 

 uninteresting : — 



Golden Hamburgh. — I have frequently seen this variety grown from 5 lb. to 

 G lb. weight, and finished in the best style, at Lochryan House, the residence of 

 Sir William "Wallace, Bart., and grown on an aerated border. "When thus grown, 

 it is certainly one of our showiest, and one of our finest-flavoured grapes ; but it 

 labours under the serious disadvantage of having a weak constitution, and unless 

 grown under the most favourable conditions, is seldom seen in a good state. It 

 has an additional defect, in that it does not hang well after becoming ripe. 

 If this grape had the constitution of a Trebbiano, it would be invaluable. 



Foster's White Seedling is a white grape, which was introduced ^vith a 

 considerable flourish of trumpets some years ago. It possesses considerable merit 

 as an early forcer, and for pot-culture. When planted out in rich borders, it 

 cracks at the junction with the foot-stalks, just before ripening. I have in 

 consequence ceased to grow it. 



Duchess of Buccleuch. — Perhaps the finest-flavoured of all grapes, not 

 yielding the palm to the old Frontignans, of which it is apparently a seedling. 

 It is a strong-growing variety, with a good constitution, producing large bunches 

 with small benies. It should be used soon after being cut, as the fruit soon 

 becomes discoloured. 



White Lady Downe's very much resembles in all respects the Black Lady 

 Downe's (except the colour), of which it appears to be a^ seedling, and should bo 

 grown as a companion to that invaluable late grape. 



Madrespield Court Black Muscat. — This is one of the newer grapes 

 about which there is great variety of opinion, some lauding it highly, and others 

 condemning it as worthless pn account of its propensity to crack in the ripening 

 process. "When it does well, it is certainly a first-class grape. The bunches are 

 compact and medium-sized, the berries are large, and the flavour is very good. 

 It does not kang very long after being ripe. 



