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name Muscat, which is applied to a class of Grapes, is not derived from 

 the peculiar musky flavour of the fruit as is generally supposed, but is a 

 term applied by the ancient Romans, and signified "to attract bees," from 

 the great sweetness of the berries. One of the best arid most generally 

 cultivated varieties for Raisins is the Muscat of Alexandria, which also 

 passes under the name of Muscat Gordo Blanco and various other 

 synonyms. For Currants the only Grape is the Black Corinth, or Zante 

 as it is sometimes called, both names being used for the one kind. The 

 source of the Sultana Raisins is the White Corinth, which has somewhat 

 larger berries. These are the principal kinds used, but several others may 

 be utilized for drying. 



As regards table Grapes, the grower has a wider range in making a 

 selection, but, as a matter of course, he should only plant such varieties 

 as are likely to give him the best returns. In selecting, he should take 

 into consideration quality, appearance, freedom in bearing, period of 

 ripening, and hardiness. Early Grapes may pay well in some districts, 

 but not in others, and kinds that will hang long and keep well will often 

 give the best return. Then, again, if the Grapes have to be sent long 

 distances, the adaptability of the fruit for packing and carriage must also 

 be considered. Some kinds are excellent table Grapes, and also suitable 

 for wine-making, a matter of some consequence to the grower, as it gives 

 him the option of utilizing the fruit in two ways. Raisin Grapes may 

 also be used as table fruit, and there is a great demand for the Muscat of 

 Alexandria in its fresh state. This demand will in many cases enable 

 growers to sell large quantities of fresh Grapes at higher prices than can 

 be obtained by drying the fruit. 



PKOPAGATIOX. 



The Grape Vine may be propagated by seeds, eyes, cuttings, layers, 

 grafting, inarching, and budding. 



tieeds are seldom used except in raising new varieties, and, as a matter 

 of course, there is no certainty as to what kind of fruit seedlings will 

 yield. The seeds should be sown early in the spring in rich light soil, 

 covering them to the depth of half-an-inch. When the young plants 

 have made their second pair of leaves, they should be carefully trans- 

 planted into rows, three feet apart, leaving half that distance between in 

 the lines. No further removals should take place till the plants fruit, 

 which will generally be in the second or third year, but it is often longer 

 before they can be tested. 



Eyex. Propagation by eyes is a very common method among European 

 gardeners in the cultivation of the Grape under glass ; but, as the only 

 advantage that ordinary vine-growers can obtain from this method is that 

 it enables them to propagate a particular variety quickly, there is no 

 great inducement to practice it in this part of the world. When this plan 

 is adopted, the eyes should be taken from well-ripened shoots, leaving 

 about an inch of wood above and below. These pieces should be planted 

 about two inches deep, with the eyes uppermost, and as a rule they will 

 strike freely. 



