274 "JOSLING'S ST. ALB.VN'S" GRAPE. 



and have attained maturity. Under similar treatment I have 

 twice bloomed the Buphaiie ciliaris, and last year 1 had also 

 two or three other Brunsvigias in flower. There is, therefore, 

 not so much difficulty in blooming these plants as has hitherto 

 been thought. 



XXXIII. — Note respectiyig the " JosUng's St. Allan's" Grape. 

 By Robert Thompson. 



(Received August 31, 1849.) 



A NOTICE of a grape sent to the Society by Mr. Josling, as a 

 seedling raised by him, and named Josling's St. Alban's, was 

 published in vol. i. p. 296 of this Journal. The bunches sent 

 had not the usual character of any known grape ; and, after 

 various inquiries as to when and how it was raised, it was con- 

 cluded to be distinct. Having found its quality excellent in two 

 seasons in which I had an opportunity of tasting it, I endeavoured 

 to do justice to its merits. When obtained in full perfection it 

 is generally acknowledged to stand unrivalled in point of flavour. 

 But considerable doubts have lately arisen with regard to its being 

 distinct from the Chasselas musque. I have been favoured with 

 communications from various parties to whom application had 

 been made for their candid opinions on the subject. The matter, 

 however, was still left in doubt ; and if I could not immediately 

 clear it up, I considered it necessary to obtain and state all the 

 particulars I could respecting the grape in question. 



With this object in view, it was thought advisable to go and 

 inspect the situation of the original vine ; compare its fruit and 

 leaves with those of the Chasselas musqu(^ grown in the Society's 

 garden ; and ascertain under Avhat circumstances and by what 

 mode of culture the vine under Mr. Josling's care produced fruit 

 free from cracking, a liability to which is the only fault ascribed 

 to the Chasselas musque. 



The vine is growing in the garden of A. M. Timperon, Esq., 

 New Barns, near St. Alban's. This garden has been under Mr. 

 Josling's management for many years. It lies low, near the 

 river Ver, or Muse, and damps arising from the river are said 

 to be prevalent: perhaps they are unfavourable to the red spider. 

 The vine border has, however, a dry, gravelly bottom^ and is, 

 moreover, well raised above the general level of the garden ; it 

 was made two-and-a-half feet deep, of good turfy soil, leaves, 

 and some lime rubbish. I consider it worthy of being well 

 remarked, that sheep were penned on the turfy soil after it was 

 dug up, and before it was introduced into the vine border. The 



