GRAPES. 



in size from the Black Hamburgh. Berries varying 

 much in form; being sometimes round, frequently flat- 

 rotund, and indented on the head with the remains of 

 the style. A groove or channel is often observed on 

 one side, or both, decreasing from the head downwards. 

 Skin of a deep purple colour, inclining to black, covered 

 with a thick blue bloom. The Flesh adheres to the 

 skin, and though neither high flavoured nor melting, is 

 pleasant. The leaves are variously cut, and die upon 

 the tree of an orange hue. 



The Esperione Vine is prolific to an extraordinary 

 degree, very hardy, and of most luxuriant growth, per- 

 fecting its fruit equally well and early with the Sweet- 

 water and Muscadine, and in unfavourable seasons has a 

 decided advantage over these and any other hardy grape 

 in our possession. It was purchased of Mr. Williams, 

 of Turnham Green, in 1804, and planted by Mr. I. T. 

 Aiton, in the royal gardens at Windsor. 



18. FRANKENTHAL. HorL Soc. Cat. No. 60. 

 Frankendale. Ib. 



Frankenthal. Knoop. Fruct. p. 138. 



Bunches tolerably large, with small handsome shoul- 

 ders, a little resembling the Black Hamburgh. Berries 

 somewhat oval, but flattened at the head, where it is 

 much broader than at the stalk ; and when fully ripe, they 

 are indented on the sides as if by pressure between the 

 finger and thumb. Skin deep purple, approaching to 

 black, covered with a thin blue bloom. Flesh tender. 

 Juice sweet and rich, and of excellent flavour. 



It ripens well in the vineryj but' is much higher fla- 

 voured when grown in the hothouse, where it forces well, 

 and will bear a high degree of heat. 



19. LARGE BLACK CLUSTER. Speechly, No. 35. 

 The Berries of this- are larger and more oval than 



those of either the old Black Cluster or the Burgundy : 

 they are black, and not so delicate, ttieJw'ce being of a 



o 3 



