532 [ THE 



cut into five lobes, with long narrow lobes, doubly 

 toothed, with acute mucronate teeth tipped yellow or 

 brown. They are deep green, smooth or slightly rugose 

 on the upper surface, cottony on the lower surface, with 

 a thin reddish leaf-stalk variable in length, sometimes 

 half the length of the blade and sometimes as long as 

 the blade or longer. The bunches are large, rounded 

 or obtusely conical, rarely winged, somewhat loose, with 

 a slender peduncle. The berries are large, roundish 

 or oval, purplish black, heavily covered with bloom, 

 occasionally with a few undersized seedless berries. The 

 rind is very tough, highly coloured, with little astringen- 

 cy. The flesh is white, firm, juicy, fairly sweet, with a 

 simple flavour, containing two to three large plump seeds 

 of a greenish brown colour. It is a beautiful table grape, 

 but is also mixed with other grapes for the press. 



56. INSOLIJA TA BURNAHHALA. This is a local 

 seedling which originated towards 1870 at Burnahhala 

 to the west of Rabato. The vine is very vigorous and 

 highly productive, requiring half-long or long pruning. 

 The leaves are large, soft and tender, five-lobcd, hairy 

 on the under surface, with a thick green leaf-stalk. The 

 bunches are very large, conical or pyramidal, winged, 

 rather compact. The berries are large, roundish or oval, 

 pale yellow with a heavy waxy bloom, of most beautiful 

 appearance. The rind is thin but tough. The pulp is 

 fleshy and soft, fairly juicy and sweet, with a simple 

 flavour. It is an excellent table grape, keeps well, and 

 is rather poor for the press. The foliage is very liable 

 to downy mildew. 



j 57. INSOLJA TA CHELUL. This vine is highly es- 

 teemed in Gozo, but is little known in Malta. It was in- 

 troduced by Canon Don Giuseppe Buttigieg, nicknamed 

 "ta Chelul" from Nadur, and is one of the finest and 

 best grapes of local origin. The vine is very vigorous 

 and is highly productive ; requires short or half-long 



