164 FRUIT. 



and entailing a considerable amount of care, skill, and close 

 observation to foresee results and keep clear of all that tends 

 to interfere with perfection in the Grape. Being the most 

 IJopulai- of all hothouse fruits, the culture of the Grape is 

 entered into with gi-eat zest by those amateurs who can 

 afford the luxury of a vinery, and by every professional hor- 

 ticulturist who has an opportunity. For exhibition purposes, 

 howevei-, its cultivation is carried on by a comparatively 

 small proportion of the total number of growers, which might 

 be greatly increa.sed, to the mutual advantage of all concerned. 

 In .^electing the best varieties of grapes for exhibition, the 

 Muscat of Alexandria may well hold the premier place. Its 

 large and handsome-shaped bunches and berries, beautiful 

 colour, richly luscious flesh, and high flavour are not found 

 combined to the sam^e extent in any other variety. The Black 

 Hambui-gh keeps close company with the Muscat, slightly 

 behind it in some points, while excelling it in others, and 

 especially in general utility. The many excellent qualities of 

 Madre^field Court claim for it a place next the Hamburgh 

 among black grapes, while among white varieties Buck- 

 land's Sweetwater, in its best form, may be placed next the 

 Muscat, although a long wa}^ behind that superior grape. 

 Among other white gi-apes, Foster's Seedling, Golden Queen, 

 Mis. Pearson, and Tokay are good useful grapes, while Syrian, 

 Trebbiano, and White Xice bear large handsome bunches, but 

 being deficient in quality and flavour, they may be considered 

 third-c]as^> grapes. Duke of Buccleuch is a fine early white 

 grape, with splendid benies, but difficult to get in first-rate 

 condition ; and the Duchess of Buccleuch, although small in 

 berrv, i.-. unrivalled for flavour. Among other black varieties, 

 Lady Downes, Muscat Hamburgh, and Mrs. Pince, when in 

 first-rate condition, come near the top of the list. Alicante 

 and Alnwick Seedling bear handsome bunches of fine berries, 

 with a dense bloom, while the enormous bunches of Gros 

 Guillaume, and the enormous berries of Gros Colman and 

 Gros Maroc, when well finished, carry them well to the front 

 in competition, and from a commercial point of view the last 

 two might almost top the list. 



