682 



Journal of Agriculture, Vict( 



10 Nov., 1916." 



Gyrao (1822) describes it, among the black grapes of the Douro, as 

 one which 



yields much and ver^y good wine; it is earlj- and requii'es strong soil; it should 

 be pruned to spurs, because each shoot only bears two bunches. It is good to 



Fig. 14. — Bunch of Mourisco Preto, reduced from a coloured plate in 

 " Ampelographie " (nearly half natural size). 



eat and for wine. Its grapes are very sweet. . . . It is best trained low, but 

 may also be trained on trees; the wine is full (coberto), and its grapes ripen 

 early; it likes strong soil, but also prospers on poor land. The wine made on 

 the Douro by Srs. Villares from this grape was excellent in colour, flavour, 

 and bouquet; it made a good blend with Souzao. 



