THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



Calabrian Raisin. — Leaves not deeply lobed, smooth 

 above and below, even the ribs being glabrous, instead 

 of being furnished with short bristly hairs, as are those 

 of most other varieties. Bunch large, very long and 

 shouldered; berries round, white, thinly covered with a 

 delicate bloom, transparent, so that the seeds can be 

 seen; flesh firm, sweet and pleasant, though not rich. 

 The bunch is of handsome proportions when highly cul- 

 tivated, and although a Grape of third-rate quality, is 

 deserving of being included in the late vinery, as the 

 fruit hangs in excellent condition to a late period. 



Fig. 1085.— Grape— Diamond Jubilee. 



Canon Hall Muscat. — This variety has thicker shoots, 

 larger and more tapering branches, and larger berries 

 than Muscat of Alexandria, In point of flavour Canon 

 Hall is rather the inferior of the two. Is a bad setter, 

 and must be fertilized by hand with foreign pollen. Is 

 said to be much grown in the Channel Islands for market. 

 Was l-aised at Canon Hall in Yorkshire. 



Chassdas Musqu4 (Tokai Musque). — Leaves roundish, 

 somewhat convex, not deeply lobed, of a bluish-green 

 colour, smooth above and nearly so beneath. Bunches 

 tapering, rather loose, with or without shoulders; berries 

 middle-sized, round; skin moderately thick, apt to crack, 

 white ; acquiring a yellowish tinge when thoroughly 

 finished ; flesh firm, with a rich, sugary, delicious Muscat 

 flavour. An excellent bearer, ripening early. Its only 

 fault is that the berries are apt to crack during the ripen- 

 ing stage, to counteract which apply no more water at the 

 roots than is absolutely necessary at that particular period, 

 and maintain a warm, dry atmosphere. Should these 

 means fail, pierce or ring the lateral above the bunch, to 

 arrest the flow of sap. The flavour of this Grape is con- 

 sidered by some to be equal to that of Muscat of Alex- 



andria, and it ripens with much less heat. May be grown 

 in lieu of Muscat of Alexandria for early work. 



Diamond Jubilee (fig. 1085). — A cross between Gros 

 Colmar and Gros Maroc. It was raised in 1895 by 

 Messrs. D. & W. Buchanan, Forth Vineyard, Kippen. It 

 has large black, oval berries of splendid flavour, and is 

 very free setting and fruitful. One of the earliest Grapes, 

 ripening before Black Hambro. It is quite distinct from 

 Black Morocco. 



Duke of Buccleuch. — Bunches large, ovate, broadly 

 shouldered; berries very large, round, inclining to oblate; 

 skin thin, of a fine golden colour when well finished and 

 ripe; flesh melting, with a very abundant juice; flavour 

 quite distinct, and extremely rich and pleasant. This 

 noble-looking Grape was raised by the late Mr. W. 

 Thomson, of Clovenfords, Galashiels, who not only grew 

 it extensively for market, but succeeded in bringing out 

 all its good qualities better than any other grower. It is 

 an early Grape, and will not hang long after ripening. 

 Succeeds best grown on the long-rod system, and requires 

 to be fertilized by hand to ensure perfect fructification. 



Dutch Hambro. — Berries larger than those of Black 

 Hambro, firmer fleshed, but of inferior quality ; skin 

 thick, bloom thin, does not always colour well ; flesh 

 coarse; flavour second-rate. A handsome Grape. 



Espiran (Turner's Black, Hardy Blue Windsor, Red 

 Port of some). — Leaves roundish, with five moderately 

 deep lobes, pubescent on both sides, dying off a deep rich 

 purple; the footstalk is also pubescent, and of a purple 

 tinge; wood somewhat striped with purple. Bunch large, 

 shouldered, long and tapering; berries round, black, covered 

 with a dense bloom ; flesh sweet and vinous, but rather 

 y -id unless thoroughly ripened. The Vine is vigorous, 

 hardy, bearing abundantly, and ripening outdoors if ac- 

 corded a warm position. It is well figured in the Trans- 

 actions of the Horticultural Society, vol. iii. p. 93. 



Foster '$ Seedling (fig. 1083).— This is an excellent white 

 Grape, much superior to Royal Muscadine, and being 

 equal to it in flavour has superseded that good old sort 

 for culture under glass. L. is also one of the best Grapes 

 for pot culture. Sets as freely as Black Hambro, and 

 requires similar treatment, except that the leaves ought 

 to be moved aside to allow the sun to act upon the fruit, 

 which will greatly enhance the colour. Obtained by 

 crossing Black Morocco and White Sweetwater. Bunches 

 large, compact, and tapering; berries medium, oval; skin 

 pale -yellow, or greenish when not properly finished ; flesh 

 tender, melting, juicy, with a rich saccharine flavour. 



Frankcnthal Black Hambro (Victoria Hambro, Black 

 Tripoli). — Considered by some to be identical with Black 

 Hambro, but it is quite distinct, having larger round 

 berries and a much more robust habit. Bunch large and 

 heavily shouldered; skin black when well coloured, well 

 bloomed, thicker than Black Hambro, which fact enables 

 the grower to keep this Grape until Christmas if needed; 

 flesh firm, juicy, sugary, and good - flavoured ; growth 

 vigorous, and very productive. A noble Grape. 



Golden Champion. — A handsome but uncertain Grape. 

 j Should be worked on the Black Hambro to impart vigour 

 to its weak constitution, and grown either on the long-rod 

 or long-spur principle to ensure fruitfulness. Bunches 

 large, shouldered; berries very large, oval; skin thin, pale- 

 yellow; flesh firm, juicy, with a sweetwater flavour. Its 

 proper position is in the list of early varieties. Was raised 

 by the late Mr. W. Thomson when at Dalkeith. 



Golden Queen.— This fine Grape is much esteemed by 

 some cultivators. On some soils it is a great success, but 

 requires Muscat treatment to bring out its best points. 



