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THE FRUIT GARDEN 



cut back to one bud close to the ground and grown on again the follow- 

 ing year, when, as a rule, they make strong useful canes by the end of the 

 season. 



VARIETIES OF GRAPES 

 Black 



Black Hamburgh. — There are several distinct varieties of this grape, and at least 

 three are sufficiently so to receive different names. These are the Black Hamburgh, the 

 Frankenthal Hamburgh, and the Mill Hill Hamburgh. Soils and conditions of growth 

 so often alter the appearance of grapes that if these three varieties were grown under 

 different conditions and shown together it would be difficult to recognise any one. 

 However, all three are excellent. The true Black Hamburgh is the old Hampton Court 

 vine. The bunches and berries produced on this veteran tree are small, it is true, but 

 for richness and sweetness of flavour they surpass any other Hamburgh I have tasted. 

 This variety is not so large in berry or so heavy in bunch as the other two. 



Frankenthal Hamburgh. — Is distinguished by its noble-looking bunches, immense 

 berries, and their dense black bloom. It is vigorous, and regularly bears heavy crops. 

 Dr. Hogg gives the following description of the berries : " Roundish, frequently oblate, 

 sometimes hammered and scarred ; skin thick, adhering to the flesh ; deep black purple ; 

 flesh firm, and often forming a hollow cell round the seeds, juicy, sugary, sprightly, and 

 richly flavoured." This is an excellent description of the variety, as I can testify from 

 my experience of it at Chatsworth, where the true Frankenthal is grown. 



Mill Hill Hamburgh. — At Chatsworth the true form of this also was grown. In 

 some respects it is the best of the three. For rich flavour it is almost equal to the Black 

 Hamburgh ; in size of berry and bunch it is as large as the Frankenthal, but does not 

 colour so well or develop so dense a bloom. The foliage of this vine is easily distinguished 

 by its large size and generally drooping appearance. For summer and autumn dessert 

 there is no black grape, taking it in all respects, to equal Black Hamburgh. It is also 

 one of the easiest grapes to grow — the ideal grape for amateurs. By hard forcing it 

 may be had ripe at the end of April, and by retarding the growth of later vines it may be 

 had in good condition at Christmas. 



Madresfield Court. — As a black grape this unquestionably comes next in point of 

 merit. Some would even place it before the above. When well grown and properly 

 finished it is extremely handsome, and certainly one of the best exhibition varieties of the 

 day. It was raised at Madresfield Court by the then gardener, Mr. Cox, and is said to 

 be a cross between " Muscat of Alexandria " and " Black Morocco." The bunches are 

 long and tapering, the berries large and oval, and when grown to perfection the bloom 

 upon them is intense and beautiful. As a rule the bunches weigh from two to four pounds 

 each. The flesh is tender, greenish, rich, juicy, and distinctly Muscat flavoured. It is 

 an easily grown grape, yet many find a difficulty in overcoming the tendency the berries 

 have of cracking when almost fully developed. I have not experienced difficulty in this 

 respect myself, in consequence, I believe, of well cropping the vines and having more or 

 less air on the house night and day just before the grapes colour, with a little heat in the 

 pipes. It is a summer and autumn grape, and not recommended for winter and spring. 



Muscat Hamburgh. — For high quality and richness of flavour this variety is unsur- 

 passed, and when grown to perfection one of the most handsome black grapes. Grand for 

 exhibition, where it will always carry maximum points when well shown. It is, however, 

 difficult to grow, and is therefore only sparingly cultivated. It should be grafted on the 

 Black Hamburgh or Muscat of Alexandria. 



Gros Guillaume. — Often misnamed Barbarossa. This is a well-known, handsome 

 grape, not so commonly or so well grown as it used to be years ago. It is one of those 

 varieties that will not succeed under the close-pruning system ; when pruning, the shoots 

 must be left 6 or 7 inches long, with several buds. The extension system of culture is 

 recommended; the bunches are often 2 feet long and 18 inches across the shoulders. 



