31 



It resists the mildew pretty well, but is somewhat sensitive to 

 the attacks of the oidium. As the Aramon is always cultivated for 

 quantity rather than quality it must be planted in a rich soil which 

 is at the same time deep and free. 



In the south of France it is always pruned short. 



Foex gives the following description of it : 



Stem strong and very vigorous in rich soil; spreading grower; 

 shoots of a fine light-red colour in summer, greyish in winter ; knots 

 prominent and close together, with a dirty white, much-developed 

 bud ; leaves large, not deeply indented, upper side glossy, under side 

 covered with loose down, petiolar sinus open ; bunch voluminous, 

 long, almost cylindrical, or slightly shouldered with a tender, herba- 

 ceous stalk; berries large, round, very juicy; not very good for 

 table use, though sufficiently sweet ; of a light black (not intense) 

 colour where the ground is moist, and the yield very considerable. 

 It is not as yet cultivated to any extent in Victoria. 



f Asplran. Synonyms : Spiran, Verdal, Epiran, Riveyran, 

 PIT an, Verdai. 



A choice red grape, not cultivated in Victoria as yet, although it 

 would prove a valuable sort in the warm region of the colony. The 

 wine made from it is light in colour light, delicate, and keeps well. 

 It is one of the choice varieties of the south of France. It is a good 

 bearer, and gives from 250 to 400 gallons per acre. 



It comes into leaf medium early, but does not suffer from frost. 



The grapes ripen early in the third period. 



The Aspiran suffers but little from most fungus diseases. 



The most suitable soil for it is a deep, free soil, preferably gravelly, 

 and of a reddish colour. 



It is usually pruned short. Its grapes are excellent for table 

 purposes. 



Foex describes it as follows: "Rather vigorous grower; shoots 

 semi-erect, slender, of light-red colour, with buds a medium distance 

 apart. Leaves of medium size, five-lobed, deeply indented, teeth deep 

 uneven, rather broad, giving the leaf a very elegant appearance, 

 upper surface of a yellowish-green and smooth, under surface with 

 a slight woolly down near the veins; bunch medium size, close, 

 somewhat shouldered ; berries medium size, slightly oval; skin rather 



