678 



.hmrnnJ of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Nov., 1916. 



Fruit. — Bunches fairly large, long, cylindro-couical, regularly filled, but not 

 very close. ><'early always shouldered, witli one or two bunchlets hanging by 

 long stalks, which have the form of true bunches ; sometimes the stalk is divided 

 so as to bear two similar bunches; stalk long, strong, flattened; first ramification 

 short and woody; pedicels short, stout, terminated b\- a rather strong swelling, 

 iTark-red; core short, conical, deep vinous red. Berries medium, spherical, of a 

 bluish iTlack coloui, lolidly attached to the core; flesh fairly firm, juicy, not very 

 sweet, and not very refined; skin thick, like parchment, rich in colouring matter; 

 pips per 100 berries — 24 with two, 52 with three, 24 with four. 



Corn if es to. 



Synonyms : Cornifresco, Cornifeito, Tinta Bastardeira. 



Cornifesto is one of the characteristic varieties of the Douro ; yielding, 

 as it does, wines of good colour and body it may be classed as' belonging 



Fig. 11. — Leaves of Cornifesto (about one-third natural size). 



Photo, taken at Boa Vista, Alto Douro, Porttigal, in October, 1907. The leaves 

 are spotted with Bordeaux mixture, sprayed to prevent Downy Mildew 

 (Plasmopara viticola). 



to the Touriga type, though its wine does not perhaps reach the same 

 standard of quality as that variety. A peculiarity which renders it of 

 considerable interest is its marked tendency to throw a second crop. 

 In all probability it will be found capable of yielding satisfactorily in 

 seasons when the first crop has been destroyed by frost or hail, a con- 

 sideration of great value in vineyards liable to such visitations. 



It is first mentioned by Lacarda Lobo (1790) as a black variety 

 cultivated in several Douro vineyards. Gyrao (1822) tells us that — 



Cornifesto yields much and good wine ; it possesses the peculiarity of bearing 

 a second crop on the lateral canes {pela vara adia^ite), which alone would equal 

 the yield of some other vines; this second crop constitutes a sort of supplement to 

 the numerous and handsome bunches which it yields. It likes strong soils. 



