308 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE, 



selecting varieties for planting, for the purpose of guarding against^ 

 failures and the consequent disappointment. This caution is all the 

 more necessary because it is a quite common occurrence to meet 

 with communications in the horticultural journals, in which grapes 

 most difficult of cultivation are spoi<en of in the highest terms of 

 praise, because of their fine flavour or handsome appearance, with- 

 out a word of qualification, or a single reference being made as to 

 their requiring a special code of management to ensure successful 

 results. 



One of the most popular of grapes amongst skilled collectors^ 

 and the white grape most generally seen at the public exhibitions, 

 is the Muscat of Alexandria, yet if the amateur plants it in an 

 ordinary vinery in company with the Black Hamburgh and other 

 sorts thriving in the same temperature, a failure must ensue, for 

 the temperature will not be hi<jh enough. Besides, when sufficient 

 warmth is provided, the vines require to be so skilfully managed in 

 setting their berries, and alt^o when the latter commence to ripen, 

 that the crop is not often satisfactory. The Muscat Havihurgh 

 is of the most delicious flavour, but it requires a very hi^h tempera- 

 ture, and with the greatest care seldom colours well, and the ap- 

 pearance on the table is anything but satisfactory, for until eaten 

 they cannot be distinguished from a bad sample of Black Ham- 

 burgh. The Uoyal Ascot, so highly recommended a few years since, 

 for its prolific character, is practically worthless, for it does not bear 

 heavier crops thnn the Black Hamburgh, the bunches are small and 

 the flavour indifferent, the berries are also liable to crack, illr-v. 

 Pince's Black Mnicat and Madresfield Court Muscat are two fine 

 grapes when well grown, but not more than one grower in twenty 

 can produce good samples of the former; and the latter, although 

 less difficult of cultivation, is not often eeen in really first class- 

 condition. The Golden Champion is shy in bearing, aud the berries 

 are as a rule very much discoloured, and the flavour is quite second- 

 rate. The Royal Muscadine and Sweetwater are only suitable for 

 out-door culture, for they are not good enough to have a place in a 

 vinery. The latter is, however, useful for furnishing a very early 

 supply of white grapes in pots. Barhorossa is coarse aud inferior 

 in flavour. Ferdinand do Lesseps and the Duchess of Buccleugh 

 are small berried grapes, only worth growing for their peculiar 

 piquant flavour, and not deserving a place in the general vinery. 

 The Muscat Champion is very ugly, and difficult to grow, and al- 

 though the flavour is good, it is not worth cultivating, excepting it 

 be by those who have a collection. The Black and White Frontig- 

 nans are of good flavour, but they are small in bunch and berry, and 

 speaking generally are not worth growing. 



The best known of the grapes not worth growing, have been in- 

 dicated, and their peculiarities pointed out, and I will now proceed 

 to give the names of tho?e best adapted to the requirements ot ama- 

 teurs. The Blade Hamhurgh is undoubtedly the finest of all the 

 black grapes from early in the summer until November. It is 

 handsome in appearance, of excellent flavour, and under ordinary good 

 management, sure to produce good crops. Lad'j Downcs is the best 



