On the Black Raisin and other Winter Grapes. 175 



and horticulturists. A great many gardeners have been this 

 autumn to see the unusual large crop of grapes on the West's 

 St. Peter vine here (described vol. i. p. 36*.); and they all 

 have admired the size and beauty of the black raisin, and say 

 it is new to them. I cannot determine whether it be the 

 same kind of black raisin grape, that generally goes by that 

 name in the nurseries ; but I saw a stool of the same kind, and 

 with the same name, this autumn, in Messrs. Whitley, Brames, 

 and Milnes's nursery, at Fulham. 



The wood is of a light brown colour, and long jointed; the . 

 buds are rather pointed, leaves large and very much serrated, 

 with long red footstalks ; the large bunches have two shoul- 

 ders, berries oval, of a fine black colour when ripe, fleshy, but 

 high flavoured ; skin rather thick, which is very much in its 

 favour for keeping after it is ripe. The habit of the vine is 

 similar to that of the white muscat of Alexandria, in wood, 

 leaves, and fruit ; excepting the size and colour of the berries, 

 and red footstalks of the leaves. It grows strong, and bears 

 freely. 



Late grapes not being in general cultivation, though so very 

 desirable to noblemen and gentlemen, who reside at their 

 country seats in the autumn and winter months, it may be 

 useful to say a few words on the subject of winter grapes, and 

 their management. 



The West's St. Peter, Black raisin, and Poonah grapes, 

 are the best for late crops of any that have come under my 

 management; because, first, they grow very freely, which 

 gives them strength to carry a great crop; secondly, they 

 ripen their wood early in the summer, which is greatly in their 

 favour for producing fruit the following year ; thirdly, the leaves 

 remain on them all the winter as fresh and green as in sum- 

 mer, and the vines at the same time continue in a growing 

 state, which is of considerable importance, as it enables them 

 > to bring their fruit to perfection through the autumn and 

 winter : also after the fruit is ripe, it will hang a longer time 

 before it shrivels or decays when the leaves are fresh and 

 green, than when they turn yellow and fall off. 



My grapes being now ripe, I keep the house very dry, and 

 from 50° to 55°' of Fahrenheit; if kept much below that heat, 

 the grapes will soon rot, and if much above, they will soon 

 shrivel and not be fit for use. 



The Raisin and West's St. Peter grapes are of one season, 

 and require the same heat and the same management in every 

 respect; the Poonah grape is late, and requires a greater heat 

 to bring it to perfection than either of the other two, and if 



