300 



THE GAKDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



a failure in the late vinery. In some places the berries 

 crack during the ripening process, which fact indicates 

 that a drier treatment of either root or top is necessary. 

 When cracking is first observed it may be checked by 

 pJacing a covering to shed off rain from outside borders, 

 also by piercing the laterals between the bunch and rod 

 with a gimlet, or otherwise partially severing them. 



Miller s Burgundy. — Leaves downy, nearly white, in 

 allusion to which appearance it has the name of Miller 

 Grape, or one with that signification, in various languages. 

 Bunches short, ovate, compact ; berries small, round or 

 inclining to roundish-oval; skin thin, black; flesh tender, 

 with an abundance of juice, which is rather sharp after 

 the fruit is coloured, and when fully ripe is not so sweet 

 as the Black Cluster. It is hardy, and therefore suited 

 for cultivation against a wall in the open air; or it might 

 be grown for wine in warm, sandy, or chalky soils. 



Mill Hill Hambro. — Leaves large, pale yellowish-green, 

 flaccid. Bunches large, long, and well shouldered; berries 

 large, round inclining to oblate, dented as if hammered; 

 skin black covered with blue bloom, thin and tender; 

 flesh melting and tender, juicy, sweet, and richly flavoured. 

 A noble-looking Grape of excellent quality, but does not 

 keep long after it is ripe. 



Mrs. Pearson. — Although not generally cultivated this 

 Grape finds favour with some by whom it is well grown. 



Fig. 1087.— Grape— Mrs. Pinee's Black Muscat. 



It is a round white Grape possessing a Muscat flavour; 

 a good setter and keeper, and should be accorded a warm 

 position in the late vinery. Bunches medium to large, 

 broad-shouldered, tapering ; berries roundish-oval ; skin 

 thick, amber-coloured when fully ripe ; pulp firm, juicy, 

 sugary, with a Muscat flavour. Raised by Mr. Pearson of 

 Chilwell from Black Alicante, crossed with Ferdinand 

 de Lesseps. 



Mrs. Pinee's Black Muscat (fig. 1087). — Bunches large, 

 very long and tapering, shouldered, with a short stalk; 

 berries oval, medium-sized, with short, stout stalks; skin 



tough, thick, blackish-purple, seldom well-coloured, bloom 

 moderate in density; flesh firm, with a decided Muscat 

 flavour. A useful late-keeping Grape, requiring time and 

 a high temperature to finish it to perfection. It is best 

 grown on its own roots, and should be fertilized by hand 

 when in flower, when it sets abundantly. 



Muscat Champion. — Leaves and general habit of growth 

 much resembling Mill Hill Hambro, which was one of its 

 parents. Bunches large and well shouldered ; berries 

 large, round; skin red or grizzly; flesh tender, rich, with 

 the distinct flavour peculiar to the Frontignans. A mid- 

 season Grape, succeeding in a greenhouse vinery, but is 

 not often cultivated. 



Muscat of Alexandria (Charlesworth Tokay) (fig. 1084). 

 — Vine vigorous, of robust growth. Leaves large, deeply 

 lobed, sharply serrated, smooth above, slightly pubescent 

 beneath; petioles long, smooth, stained with red, as are 

 also the ribs some distance from them. Bunches large, 

 tapering, strongly shouldered; berries large, oval, hanging 

 loosely ; skin rather thick, of a pale-amber colour, with 

 a rather thin bloom ; flesh firm and breaking, exceed- 

 ingly rich, with a very pronounced and delicious musk- 

 like flavour. Dr. Lindley held that this was one of 

 the very best Grapes ever introduced into this country. 

 Succeeds best when grown in a house by itself. If it 

 has to be accommodated in a mixed house, it should be 

 with such varieties as require strong heat, or what is 

 termed Muscat treatment. Requires particular care in 

 the setting, this having to be done with the pollen of the 

 Hambro or a similar free-setting kind in many places, 

 to ensure good and shapely examples. A higher degree 

 of temperature is requisite to thoroughly ripen the fruit 

 and ensure the rich amber tint so much admired in well- 

 finished samples of this Grape. Exposing the berries to 

 direct sunlight is also a great aid in securing depth of 

 colour. 



Pitmaston White Cluster. — Leaves with deep incisions, 

 smooth above and rather glossy beneath, the ribs slightly 

 hairy; footstalks smooth, tinged with red. Bunches 

 scarcely so large as Royal Muscadine, but more compact 

 and shouldered; berries round; skin white, acquiring an 

 amber tinge; flesh tender, with a Muscadine flavour. It 

 ripens earlier than Royal Muscadine, and is an excellent 

 Grape for the open wall. Was raised from a seed of Black 

 Cluster, by Mr. Williams of Pitmaston, near Worcester. 



Royal Muscadine (Chasselas). — Leaves with moderately 

 deep lobes, smooth above and almost so beneath; the 

 underside thickly reticulated. Bunches medium, taper- 

 ing, occasionally shouldered; berries medium, round; skin 

 thin, white-amber; flesh tender, rich, and sugary. A good 

 bearer and sets well. One of the best white Grapes for 

 the open wall, greenhouse, and for early forcing in pots. 

 The berries keep well after being ripe, a desirable property, 

 more especially when there is but one vinery. 



Syrian. — Bunch very large with broad shoulders; 

 berries large, oval; skin thick, white; flesh firm, of toler- 

 able flavour when well ripened in strong heat to a fine 

 amber colour. Is a hanging variety, and not recommended 

 for a limited collection, one Vine sufficing for a large 

 establishment. Grown by Mr. Speechly, at Welbeck, in 

 1781, to a weight of 19J lbs. 



Trebbiano, — Bunch very large, long, broad-shouldered 

 and well set ; berries roundish-oval, medium, on short stalks; 

 skin thick, greenish-yellow, becoming amber-coloured when 

 properly finished ; flesh firm, juicy, sweet, but not rich. 

 Requires a long season of growth and Muscat treatment 

 to bring out its best qualities. A handsome Grape, valu- 

 able on account of its long-keeping properties. Some 



