166 VINES AND VINE CULTURE. 



KNEVETT'S BLACK HAMBURGH. Black Hamburgh. 



LADY DOWNE'S SEEDLING (81) Plate XVII. Around, black Vinous 

 Grape. Season : late. Merits : first-rate ; specially valuable for late 

 winter use. 



VINE. Growth strong and robust, the wood ripening freely, the ripened shoots 

 frequently downy ; very free fruiting ; late in commencing growth. Leaves 

 roundish, deeply toothed, downy, dying off reddish, or sometimes yellow, the 

 leaf-stalks very downy, and with a tinge of red. 



FRUIT. Bunches long, from eight to twelve inches, tapering, with generally 

 one large irregular shoulder; closely and freely set, fig. "56, p. 195. Berries 

 large, roundish, or sometimes ovate, frequently with a distinct suture across the 

 apex, showing the form of the seeds. Skin thick, tough, and leathery, deep 

 purplish black when properly coloured with a thick bloom, but frequently 

 reddish purple near to the stalk. Flesh dull green in colour, thick, and firm, 

 with a somewhat harsh, acid flavour, excepting when well ripened, when it 

 becomes brisk or sparkling, sweet, and rich. 



HISTORY, ETC. This truly excellent and popular Grape was long in having 

 its merits recognised. It was raised by Mr. Foster, gardener to Viscount 

 Downe, Beningborough Hall, York, about the year 1835, and was first exhibited 

 before the Horticultural Society in 1845. Eight years after this, viz., in 1853, 

 it was sent out by Messrs. Backhouse, of York ; but it was still many years 

 before its great merits were fully recognised, as one of the best late-keeping 

 Grapes. In 1858, the following interesting letter appeared in the Gardeners' 

 Chronicle, p. 70, from Mr. Saul, giving the history of this Grape, as received 

 from Mr. Foster. " Lady Downe's Seedling Grape was raised from the Black 

 Morocco, crossed by the Sweetwater, twenty-three years ago. The most singular 

 thing was that from the same seeds there should have been two varieties a 

 black Grape and a white (this was subsequently named Foster's Seedling). The 

 bunch of Grapes these were raised from, Lady Downe had for her lunch, and 

 after eating the Grapes, she sent to the gardens for a pot of mould to sow the 

 seed in. After the plants were up, and the seed-leaves expanded, they were 

 handed over to me to take charge of them. I don't know whether I ought 

 to claim the credit of raising it or not. The crossing of the varieties was my 

 doing. " 



CULTURAL NOTES. This very valuable Grape is of easy cultivation ; it will 

 grow and ripen its fruit in any ordinary Vinery, but a rather high temperature 

 is required to set the berries properly. It forces well but requires considerable 

 time to develop its proper flavour. The berries at certain stages are very liable 

 to scalding, and the young shoots to burning on bright mornings in a close 

 atmosphere. The fruit keeps well, and will hang fresh on the Vine until 

 March. 



LADY HUTT ( 1 8). A round white Sweetwater Grape. Season ; mid- 

 season. Merits : first-class quality, and rather handsome. 



VINE. Growth moderately robust, shoots ripening freely. Leaves large, not 

 much lobed, die off yellow. 



FRUIT. Bunches below medium size, rather short, well and freely set. Berries 

 medium size, roundish. Skin thin, clear pale yellow, rather pretty. Flesh 

 firm, juicy, with an exceedingly pleasant rich Sweetwater flavour. 



HISTORY. Raised by Mr. Myles, gardener to Lady Hutt, Appley Towers, 

 Byde, from Gros Colrnan crossed by Alicante. First Class Certificate, Royal 

 Horticultural Society, 1890. 



LE CCEUR. Black Morocco. 



