FROM THE SOCIETY'S GARDEN. 155 



variety appears to be amongst their more recent acquisitions, and 

 is most probably new. Of late years the name of Raisin de 

 Calabre has been introduced into their catalogue, with the 

 remark that it is a delicious grape for the dessert. It was in 

 consequence obtained as a fit subject for trial in the Garden of 

 the Society. On fruiting, it was found to possess very desirable 

 properties. 



The bunch is large, slightly shouldered, long, and tapering. 

 The berries are large, quite round, white, transparent so that the 

 seeds can be perceived. The flesh is moderately firm, with a rich 

 sugary juice. It is a late grape, possessing likewise the property 

 of hanging long after it is ripe ; and it will also keep for a con- 

 siderable time after it is cut. With good management it may be 

 preserved for months, in a fresh state, fit for the dessert. The 

 vine grows vigorously, and is likely to be a good bearer. From 

 what lias already been observed of its disposition to form large 

 bunches, those who make the production of them a principal object 

 will doubtless grow bunches of this variety half a yard or more 

 in lengtli, as has been done in the case of the Black St. Peter's, 

 comparatively with which, grown under similar circumstances, the 

 Calabrian Raisin appears the larger of the two. 



On account of its long keeping it is exceedingly suitable for 

 being planted along with the Black St. Peter's above-mentioned, 

 or Oldaker's St. Peter's as it is called by some, a vine well known 

 as the variety cultivated by Mr. Oldaker, gardener to Sir Joseph 

 Banks, at Spring Grove, as the best for hanging till February. 

 But a variety that would keep equally long, and afford a contrast 

 as regards colour, was wanted. The desideratum is admirably 

 supplied by the introduction of the Calabrian Eaisin. 



This variety seems perfectly distinct from any hitherto culti- 

 vated or described. The White Nice produces very large 

 bunches, but they are loosely shouldered ; and the berries are 

 proportionably smaller and of a greenish colour. The Syrian 

 Terre Proynise, or Jews' Grape, of which variety a bunch 

 weighing 19^1bs. was produced at Welbeck in 1791, is likewise 

 distinct from the one in question, the berries of it being per- 

 fectly round ; whereas those of the Syrian are a little oval, not 

 so white, less transparent, and coarser in substance. Taking 

 into consideration the form and colour of the berry, the con- 

 sistence of the pulp, and the flavour, the greatest resemblance is 

 with the White Malvasia ; but this is rather an early grape, and 

 of much smaller size, being the variety which produces the 

 Malmsey wine. The analogy in other respects is, however, 

 such as to lead to the supposition that the White Malvasia has 

 given rise to the Calabrian Raisin. 



RouERT Thompson. 



