THE VINE. ] 549 



(Fiddien). The plant is vigorous and very productive, 

 The leaves are small, deeply 3 to 5 lobed, with rounded 

 lobes and small obtuse teeth, light green and smooth on 

 both surfaces, with a slender leaf-stalk of a vinous red 

 colour. The bunches are middling or large, long, loose 

 or shanked, with a long reddish stalk. The berries are 

 large, oval, purplish black, well covered with bloom. The 

 flesh is somewhat firm, juicy, very sweet and aromatic. 

 It is a table grape, a<nd is also pressed with other grapes 

 to improve the flavour of the product and to give it fine- 

 ness. 



93. MUSCATELL TAL GHASAFAR. Is probably a 

 local seedling of ancient origin, and is occasionally met 

 with in the vineyards of Rabato, Dingli and Melleha. 

 The vine is fairly vigorous and requires rather short 

 pruning. The foliage is middling, deeply lobed, in other 

 respects similar to that of Insolja tai Ghirghenti. The 

 bunch is rather small, winged, loose, or shanked. The 

 berries are middling, oval, golden yellow at maturity, 

 with only a slight covering of bloom. The pulp is juicy, 

 very sweet, and slightly aromatic. Matures early, and is 

 liable to the depredations of birds, hence its name. 



94. MUSCATELL TAN-NEBBIKT. This vine, grown 

 only in the neighbourhood of Rabato and Notabile, is 

 another local seedling. The plant is very vigorous and 

 very productive, with a spreading habit requiring half- 

 long or long pruning. The foliage is middling, soft, 

 deep green, rather hairy on the lower surface, and is 

 imperfectly lobed The bunches are numerous, large, 

 very long, winged and compact. 'J he berries are mid- 

 dling or small, round, yellowish green, becoming yellow 

 or ruddy, and dotted with rust on the sunny side. The 

 pulp is soft and juicy, fairly sweet and faintly perfumed. 

 It is almost devoid of flavour, and notwithstanding its 

 name it has nothing to do with the Muscats. It is a 

 good and productive grape for the production of white 



