EUROPEAN GRAPES DESCRIBED. 159 



able for late winter and market purposes ; second-rate as to 

 quality. 



SYN. Gros Colmar, Gros Golman, Dodreldbi. 



VINE. Growthhee and vigorous, the shoots stout, with large prominent buds ; 

 very fruitful. Leaves large, broad, very downy, often presenting the appearance 

 of flagging, and, very early in the season, assuming a rusty appearance, from 

 which they change to a dull reddish hue. 



FRUIT. Bunches medium-sized, varying from one pound to three pounds or 

 sometimes four pounds in weight, rather short and broad, with usually one large 

 shoulder, giving the bunch a one-sided appearance ; sets very freely ; stalk long, 

 thin, but very tough and strong. Berries round, very large, some examples 

 measuring over four inches in circumference. Skin thick, tough, adhering to the 

 flesh, jet-black when fully coloured, with a thick coating of bloom. Flesh firm, 

 coarse, and geaerally with a very poor and indifferent flavour ; but when highly 

 ripened and commencing to shrivel, it is sweet and pleasant. 



HISTORY, ETC. There has been some doubt as to the origin of this Grape. 

 The earliest record of it in this country is in the hands of Mr. Kivers, who 

 received it from M. Leroy, of Angers. Subsequently, about 1861 or 1862, Mr. 

 Standish, of Ascot, exhibited it at South Kensington, where it attracted notice 

 from its handsome appearance ; but it was some years later before it attained 

 the great popularity it now enjoys, a great measure of which is due to Mr. W. 

 Thomson, who was the first to recommend it and to grow it extensively for 

 market purposes. As to the name, Gros Golman is that given in Leroy's 

 Catalogue in 1860. In the Journal of Horticulture, December, 1878, it is stated 

 that "in the Catalogue of Jacquermet-Bonnefont, of Annonay, for 1858, it is 

 mentioned by the name of Gros Colmar, and in that of De Bavay for 1852, it is 

 called Gros Colman. It can be traced," Dr. Hogg states, "through Germany, 

 where it has been for many years known as Gros Kolner, and it is of this 



Horvath, fruited at Chiswick in 1891, and was considered by the Fruit Committee 

 to be identical with the Gros Colman. Dodrelabi must therefore be accepted 

 as the oldest and the most correct name for this Grape. In Hungary it has been 

 known for a long time under the name of " Okorszem," and in Germany as 

 " Ocksenauge." "It may be," Herr Horvath remarks, "that the name 

 Colman is a corruption of the word Coiner, as stated by Dr. Hogg, but the 

 Grosse Coiner Grape, which in German works relating to the Vine is called 

 ' Blaiie Urbanitraube, ' is not identical with the Gros Colman, but is quite 

 distinct. The word Coiner is not derived from the town Coin, but from Kohle, 

 in allusion to the splendid bloom on the berries." 



CULTURAL NOTES. Free in growth and fruitful, this is one of the easiest oi 

 Grapes to cultivate, and to have in a very presentable condition by ordinary 

 treatment ; but to secure good quality it requires a long time to ripen, and a 

 considerable amount of heat ; in fact, almost similar treatment to that required 

 for Muscats. The enormous size of the berries and great weight of the bunches 

 necessitates some care in thinning and not ' overcropping an error of treatment 

 which is soon apparent in the want of colour. 



GROS COLMAR. Gros Colman. 

 GROS GOULARD. Prolific Sweetwater. 

 GROS GOLMAN, Gros Colman. 



