THE VINE. ] 529 



surfaces. The bunches are large and long, more or less 

 shanked, and winged. The berries are large, elliptical, 

 elongated, of a warm golden yellow colour, with little or 

 no bloom. The rind is thin but tough, astringent and 

 slightly bitterish. The pulp is soft, very juicy, sweet 

 and well perfumed. Some berries remain small and 

 seedless, but mature with the others. It is a fine grape 

 for the table and keeps well, but it is essentially a wine 

 grape of the finest type, and should be more grown for 

 the production of dessert wines. 



49. INSOLJA JIEBSA, sometimes called Mignuna 

 francisa or Ghain I' Ass. (T.= Ma-melon or Chisselas 

 Le Mammon}. This is a French vine and is cultivated 

 here and there in gardens as a table grape, but is very 

 subject to mildew and rots off easily when ripe. How- 

 ever the plant is vigorous and productive, requiring 

 half-long pruning. The leaves are large, smooth on 

 both surfaces, with long upper lobes, and obtusely 

 toothed. The bunch is large or very large, irregular or 

 somewhat abruptly pyramidal. The berries are large 

 roundish or slightly oval, with thick stalks. The rind is 

 thick and tough, yellowish white, with an abundant 

 bloom. The pulp is fleshy and firm, somewhat crisp, 

 sweet and juicy. 



50. INSOLJA MALTIA IRKIKA or I. SAFRA. This is 

 probably one of the half-wild sorts of grapes cultivated 

 in ancient days. The vine has a spreading habit and 

 thrives well in all situations. It is fairly productive in 

 good years and is very resistant to drought. The leaves 

 are small or middling, very deeply cut into three or five 

 roundish lobes, smooth on the upper surface, somewhat 

 hairy along the nerves on the lower surface, with a long 

 pinkish petiole. The bunch is middling or small, loose 

 and long. The berries are middling or small, oval, of 

 uneven size, deep golden yellow, often with only one 

 seed, many berries remaining quite small and seedless. 



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