THE VINERIES. 19 



betimes. The Apricots especialfy look almost 

 ready to open, and I can see colour even on the 

 Nectarines. 



We are beginning to force our first vinery. The 

 year before last we had renewed the Vine border, 

 and last year we did not venture any forcing ; this 

 year I hope we may be repaid. Our Black Ham- 

 burghs are old Vines of rather a good sort, with 

 fine large berries and very few stones. The 

 Muscats Canon Hall, Alexandria, and Troveren 

 are Vines which I planted some three years 

 ago. In the same house there is also an old 

 Syrian Vine, bearing big bunches, but otherwise 

 worth but little. 



In the second vinery are Black Hamburghs 

 again, Black Princes, Grizzly Frontignan, and a 

 Sweetwater, all old Vines ; and to these I have 

 added a Mrs. Pince's Muscat, a Foster's Seedling, 

 and a Madresfield Court. Both vineries are of old 

 construction, with clumsy flues, and require a 

 thorough re-arranging, which I must give them 

 some day. Quite the best grape, so far as flavour 

 goes, is, I contend, the Grizzly Frontignan, which 

 has now comparatively gone out of fashion. The 

 bunches, it is true, are not handsome, the berries 

 are not large, and the colour is not good ; but has 



C 2 



