82 HINTS ON PROFITABLE FRUIT GROWING. 



time spent in council upon these points in advance is 

 very desirable, so that the enterprise may be carried 

 through, at first, as nearly perfect as possible. 



THE BEST SORTS. 



In the selection of the vines a great deal depends 

 upon the outlet for the produce. If there be any special 

 local demand, the varieties most likely to serve the 

 particular season required must be chosen. 



As grapes are at present mainly valued according to 

 their size, the Gros Colmar and Gros Maroc bring the 

 longest prices, and the Duke of Buccleuch and Champion 

 are the largest white. For quality the best whites are 

 the Muscat of Alexandria and Mrs. Pearson ; and Black 

 Hambro', West St. Peter's, Mrs. Pince, Madresfield 

 Court, are the best black; whilst Black Alicante and 

 Lady Downe's Seedling are the best keeping grapes for 

 Christmas. 



There is no reason why grapes should not be grown 

 for home use out-doors in the south, where there is a 

 suitable sunny wall or other shelter. In former times 

 out-door vineyards were established for wine-making in 

 England, and there are now many improved hardy sorts 

 that should come to maturity better than the old Sweet- 

 water. 



The following, perhaps, may be tried with least risk : 

 Black Cluster, Esperione, " Cambridge Botanic," Eoyal 

 Muscadine, Black Frontignan, and Chasselas Yibert. 



As the foreign supplies are now so cheap, it will not 

 pay to grow these hardy sorts for the London market, 

 but in favourable country districts they might be more 



