THE VINE 239 



There are other amber-coloured late grapes of imposing size and handsome 

 appearance. For instance, Child of Hale, Raisin de Calabre, Trebbiano, White 

 Nice, Syrian, Tokay, and others were formerly much grown. They were all 

 very well in their way, and satisfied the craving for large bunches, but they 

 have not the same value for dessert as moderate-sized bunches, and the flavour 

 is not first-rate. The best is Tokay, a variety that is still worthy of a home 

 in a collection of winter grapes. 



SOME NEGLECTED GRAPES 



It will, I think, be generally acknowledged that for rich and delicious flavour 

 the Frontignans must be placed first. Of these there are several varieties, the 

 best of which are the following three : the Black, Grisly, and White. They 

 are a very modest trio as regards size of vine, bunch, and berry, and also as 

 regards their cultural requirements. They succeed best in moderately poor 

 soil of a porous nature. They are not expensive to grow, and succeed well 

 with little or no artificial heat ; their foliage is small, and occupies but little 

 space. 



Black Cluster. — This crops very freely and is a good setter. Its bunches are 

 rather small but very compact. Berries oval and black. Flesh firm, juicy, and sweet, 

 and of good flavour. Suitable for outside walls. 



Black Frontignan. — A good free-cropping variety of excellent flavour. Its 

 bunches and berries are of medium size, round, and black. Flesh firm and juicy. 



Black Monukka. — This produces large bunches and berries, but the flavour is only 

 third-rate, and not to be recommended. 



Chaptal. — A white grape, not unlike Golden Hamburgh. It forms handsome bunches 

 of good size and flavour, but the flesh is very soft. 



Chasselas Napoleon. — This is one of the best, and deserves to be more extensively 

 grown. It forms a handsome bunch, is a free setter, and the flavour is excellent. Berries 

 oval, of medium size, becoming pale golden when ripe. 



Chasselas Rose. — This variety is remarkable for its excellent flavour, not unlike 

 Muscat of Alexandria. Its bunches are large and compact, with large round pale yellow 

 berries. Flesh juicy and sweet. 



Chasselas Rouge forms a medium-sized somewhat loose bunch. The berries are 

 small, tawny red, very juicy, and sweet. 



Ferdinand de Lesseps. — This is a very small, pretty, and deliciously sweet amber- 

 coloured grape, not unlike Royal Muscadine in size of bunch and berry, but the colour 

 is more golden. This is one of the parents of Mrs. Pearson, and, like it, possesses a 

 distinct, sweet, and refreshing flavour, not so rich as that of the Muscat, but richer than 

 the ordinary Sweetwater. This is the result of a cross between the Strawberry Grape 

 and Royal Muscadine. 



Madeira Frontignan. — This produces medium-sized compact bunches with reddish 

 purple berries. Flesh juicy and sweet, and of good flavour. 



Meurthe Frontignan. — This is of excellent flavour, which very much resembles 

 the Muscat. It has medium-sized bunches, with large round berries, which are quite 

 black. Its flesh is very firm and sweet. 



Prunelas is a fairly good black grape, of medium size, and a good cropper. The 

 flesh is firm and sweet, with a peculiar but not unpleasant flavour. 



Royal Muscadine. — This does remarkably well out-of-doors on a south wall. It 

 develops fairly large bunchesi Berries large and round, which when ripe are a beautiful 

 amber. The flavour is rich and delicious. 



