552 [ THE| VINE. 



streaked reddish. The bunches are large, long, conical, 

 winged and loose or even shanked, The berries are 

 very large, elliptical or oval, of a deep bluish violet, 

 almost black, well covered with greyish bloom. The 

 rind is thick and tough, deeply coloured. The pulp is 

 soft, watery, very sweet, acidulous, slightly perfumed 

 with a fine flavour. It is an excellent table grape, but is 

 better known as a good wine grape, producing well 

 coloured wines of good body, requiring the addition of 

 other grapes to soften the acidity and improve the keep- 

 ing qualities. 



99. NIGRU GROSS SECOND, sometimes called Ser- 

 kusau imuatitiar , and miscalled Bezzula seuda. (It.= 6Y/- 

 vella, Sciancinoso, Sanginoso, Cascola). The vine is very 

 vigorous and requires half-long or long pruning. The 

 leaves are very large and thick, five-lobed, with reddish 

 nerves, and a very hairy or cobweby under surface. The 

 bunches are large, long and cylindrical, somewhat loose. 

 The berries are middling in size, oval, and drop off easily 

 at maturity, of a deep violet black colour, heavily co- 

 vered with bloom. The pulp is soft, melting, sweet, 

 astringent and somewhat acid. It is a good wine grape, 

 but is subject to rot This is an Italian vine grown 

 here and there in the vineyards of Rabato and Zebbieh, 

 Burnahhala and Bahria, but is not much valued as a 

 wine grape. . 



100. NIGRUA. This vine is chiefly grown in Gozo, 

 and has points in common with Gelleiiza seuda, but is 

 quite distinct and is either an old local variety or a form 

 of the vine Panzali of Sardegna. The vine is vigorous 

 and very productive, requ ring half-long pruning. The 

 leaves are dark green, three-lobed or five-lobed, cottony 

 on the lower surface, with a reddish leaf-stalk. The 

 bunches are large and numerous, loose, broad, and 

 usually winged. The berries are large, round, black or 

 bluish-black, with a heavy bloom. The pulp is soft and 



