90 GRAPE GROWING AT WORTHING AND IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. 



parts of the country quite a novel feature in the landscape. Every 

 year these are more and more extended. At the present time the 

 largest growers are probably the Messrs. Kochford, who in their several 

 establishments in the neighbourhood of Cheshunt, Broxbourne, etc., 

 have over fifty acres covered with glass, about one half of which is 

 planted with Grapes, from which they calculate to produce about 

 300 tons a year, when the Vines come into full bearing an acre of 

 ground covered with glass being estimated to produce fifteen tons of 

 Grapes annually. Reckoning the value of the crop at 2s. perlb., the 

 gross return per acre thus amounts to 3,360. Of other large growers 

 in the London district may be named Mr. Peter Kay, of Finchley ; 

 Mr. Ladds, of Eexley and Swanley Mr. Sweet, of Whetstone, and 

 many others. 



Another great centre for Grape-growing has arisen at Worthing, in 

 Sussex, from whence some 300 tons are sent to Covent Garden 

 every year, and is still extending; the principal growers are 

 Mr. K Piper, Mr. Bushby, Mr. G. Eussell, Mr. Sams, and Mr. 

 Beer. In Scotland also, Grapes are largely grown for London 

 markets by Messrs. Thomson & Sons, at Clovenfords, Galashiels; 

 and Mr. D. Beatson, of Kirkaldy. Of Grapes grown in the Channel 

 Islands, especially Guernsey, the quantity is simply enormous. 

 According to official returns in 1876 the shipments, via Southampton, 

 amounted to 50 tons, whilst in 1886, ten years later, the total was 

 over 500 tons, of which one salesman in Covent Garden, Mr. G. 

 Monro, sold on commission over 300 tons, and in 1890-1 about 

 350 tons. Although the production has very greatly increased, 

 the quantity sent to Covent Garden does not appear so great, 

 increased facilities for transmission having spread the trade in these 

 low-priced Grapes to the provincial towns, Mr. Monro, for example, 

 selling in Manchester, on commission last year, over eighty tons of fruit. 



Twenty or thirty years ago the best Grapes that were to be seen in 

 Covent Garden were chiefly the produce of private establishments. 

 Now very few of these are received. This is partly owing to the 

 superior quality of the Grapes grown by the market men, and partly 

 to the great fall in prices, the returns for small quantities being 

 barely sufficient to pay expenses. 



Market Grapes. Of varieties grown for market, the chief for early 

 and summer use, up to the month of December, is the Black Ham- 

 burgh ; succeeding this, for late use, is the Gros Colman. No other 

 Grapes command the market to any extent. Lady Downe's Seedling, 

 a few years ago, was the favourite late Grape ; now it is of 

 comparatively little value. Black Alicante commands a fair price 

 up to a certain period, and Madresfield Court is approved as an early 

 sort. Amongst white Grapes, the Muscat of Alexandria is the first 

 favourite, and Buckland Sweetwater second. 



Culture, Soils, Manures, etc. There is no practical difference 



