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CHAPTER XXVII. 



THE VARIETIES OF EUROPEAN GRAPES. 



HE varieties of European Grapes included in the synoptical list 

 given in the foregoing chapter have now to be described ; and 

 in order to do this we have thought it best to arrange them in 

 alphabetical order for facility of reference, and have added such 



particulars of the history of the several kinds, and such cultural notes 



as may be likely to prove useful and interesting. 



ABEBCAIRNEY. West's St. Peter's. 



AHBEE (31*). An oval tawny or grizzly Sweet water Grape. 

 Season : late ; improved by hanging after being ripe. Merits : quite 

 third-rate in quality, but exceedingly handsome in appearance ; 

 but scarcely worthy of cultivation. 



VINE. Growth very strong and robust, producing large thick wood, which 

 does not always ripen freely ; moderately fruitful. Leaves large, thick, deep 

 green, and broadly serrated. Leaf-stalks reddish. 



FRUIT. Bunches large, averaging from ten inches to twelve inches in length 

 when well grown, and weighing from one pound to three pounds, of regular 

 tapering form, with large shoulders. Foot-stalks thick and strong. Berries large, 

 roundish oval, always well set. Skin thin ; at first of a dull greenish colour, 

 changing when fully and properly ripened to a bright rosy pink on the side next 

 to the sun. Flesh somewhat soft and squashy, and without flavour. 



HISTORY, ETC. The Grape as its name, Ahbee, which means "watery," 

 indicates is a native of India. It was sent to the Horticultural Society in 1836 

 by Colonel Sykes, from the Deccan (India). It formed one of the first collection 

 of Grapes planted in the great conservatory at Chiswick, where its merits were 

 fully tested in 1861-62. Its very handsome appearance gained for it considerable 

 popularity ; one facetious writer describing it as peculiarly suitable for wedding 

 breakfasts, alluding to the beautiful blush colour of the berries. 



CULTURAL NOTES. There is no record of its successful cultivation elsewhere 

 than that at Chiswick, already referred to. The plant there, which fruited so 

 well, was grown in a very shallow inside border, where the roots were much 

 confined ; other plants in good soil proved unsatisfactory. It sets freely, but 

 requires a considerable amount of heat to ripen it thoroughly. 



ALEPPO (32) A round variegated Sweetwater Grape. Season: 

 early ; fit only for immediate use. Merits: quality third-rate ; worthy 

 cf cultivation for its singular appearance. 



SYN. Chasselas Panache. 



VINE. Growth somewhat blender, producing small wood, which generally 

 ripens freely, and is provided with large prominent buds ; fruitful. Leaves 

 medium sized, roundish, deeply serrated, with a reddish tinge, sometimes striped 

 red and yellow in a singular manner. 



*The numbers refer to the Synoptical List at page 124. 



