276 
Cultural Notes—In good deep soil, and on slopes, the Shiraz 
bears heavily and reeularly. Jn light and shallow soil, subject to 
drought, its fruitfulness decreases greatly, and must be kept up by 
means of manures. Not very subject to fungoid and inseet pests, 
although it must be kept well sulphured. Yields better crop under 
rod pruning and on account of its spreading habit of growth. and 
in order to keep the grapes up the stem should not be too short. 
Verpor.--One of the “claret” grapes, Season, mid-season 
(8rd period). Merit, first class, although not so much perfumed as 
the Cabernet. Vine growth vigorous, spreading. Leaves medium- 
sized, longer than broad, when young covered with a characteristic 
silvery-white down; when full grown three or  five-lobed, teeth 
uneven, sinus rather open and not very deep; upper surface 
smooth, uneven, of a paler green than Cabernet, underside downy. 
Fruit bunches small, shouldered. Berries round, small, dark purple, 
with several small green berries amongst the others; thick skin, 
large seeds. 
Cultural Notes.—Pruned long, like Cabernet. Malbeck, ete. 
Better bearer than Cabernet, and is often blended with it when 
grown on the rich alluvial flats (palus) along the banks of the 
Gironde River, near Bourdeaux. Wine possesses good colour, 
vigour, and very good keeping qualities. Subject to oidium. 
CHoicE Wuite WINE GRAPES. 
CHASSELAS.— (See above). 
DoraviLuo.-—(See above). 
CLAIRETTE (syn. Blanquette).—A vigorous vine; leaves glabrous 
on top and whitish underneath; prune long, bunch well formed, 
oval berries, grapes hang well, make a clear and pleasant wine; 
blended with red grapes, assists in extracting colour. Should be 
planted on well-drained soil on account of anthracnose. 
Forte Buancuu—One ‘of the Sauterne type of grapes, but 
more widely cultivated in France for the distillation of brandy, 
under the name of “cognac,” and as a blending wine. It is pruned 
short; vine a strony grower; eanes short and thiek, erect, reddish, 
with medium-length internodes; leaves, medium size, fine lobed, teeth 
short and obtuse, deep green and shiny above, slightly puckered, 
downy below; bunch medium size, compact, conico-cylindrical ; 
pervies medium to large, spherical, of a whitish green or yellow, 
according to soil and aspect; skin tough; ripens fairly early (2nd 
period). It adapts itself to all kinds of rich soils, but sets poorly 
where early frosts oceur and also rufs easily in wet autumns. 
Govais (syn. Wleinberger).—Vine a strong grower, bunches of 
medium size, conical, compact; berries over medium size, round, 
very juicy, without special flavour, ripen late, skin thin; a heavy 
