THE VINE AND ITS FRUIT. 



347 



late Mr. Butcher was the first to bring it into notice. 

 The largest bunches have been grown by Mr. 

 Koberts, Charleville Forest, Ireland, the heaviest 

 cluster weighing 23 lbs. 5 ozs. 



16. Gros Maroc. — This is an oval black grape, 

 of first-rate quality, and handsome appearance. It 

 is difficult to propagate ; but once established, it 

 grows and fruits freely under Hamburgh treatment. 

 The fruit, when hanging on established vines, might 

 be taken for Gros Colmar ; but, unlike that variety, 

 it is fit for use as soon as it is ripe, and the flesh 

 being more tender, it neither travels nor keeps so 

 well. Where fine grapes of good quality are wanted, 

 either for private use or exhibition, a vine should be 

 planted in all early and mid- season houses. The 

 berries swell to a large size, and require liberal thin- 

 ning ; they also colour well, often under unfavour- 

 able conditions. 



17. Lady Downes Seedling. — This invaluable 

 black winter grape is too well known to requu-e de- 

 scription. When well grown and thoroughly 

 ripened, the fruit will keep fresh and plump in the 

 grape-room until the end of May — five months after 

 the bunches are cut from the vines. It requires a 

 long season of growth, and, being a late starter, 

 should be coaxed forward with fire heat in the 

 spring. It also requires a high temperature to set 

 the berries properly ; indeed, like all our best winter 

 and early spring grapes, it does best in a tempera- 

 ture very little, if any, lower than that given to 

 Muscats. Nine-tenths of the Lady Downes grown 

 are never properly ripened, and consequently neither 

 keep well nor give satisfaction. 



It is a remarkable fact that the terribly con- 

 demned Black Morocco should be the parent of 

 three of our best English seedlings — viz., Madres- 

 field Court Muscat, Foster's Seedling, and Lady 

 Downes, and that the second is the best early white, 

 while the third is unquestionably the best late black, 

 grape in cultivation. What is still more remark- 

 able, the early white and the late black came from 

 the same potful of seedlings. 



18. Madresfield Court Muscat.— This ex- 

 quisitely-flavoured grape was raised by my lamented 

 friend, Mr. Cox, and was sent out as a late variety, 

 its parents being Muscat of Alexandria and Black 

 Morocco. As a natural consequence, it was con- 

 demned as a bad keeper ; but now it has, by its ex- 

 cellence, forced its way into the early and mi(^-season 

 houses, its qualities are appreciated. It is exten- 

 sively grown for early market, but it will not keep 

 for any length of time after it is ripe, and, like its 

 capricious male parent, it sometimes shows a dispo- 

 sition to crack. Mr. Eoberts, of Gunnersbiiry, 

 grows this variety remarkably well. 



19. Mrs. Pearson. — A round, white, Muscat- 



flavoured grape, of very superior quality, raised by 

 the late Mr. Pearson, of Chilwell. The vine is a 

 good grower, shows plenty of bunches, and sets 

 its fruit freely. Where two kinds of late 

 white grapes are wanted, this will be found a 

 valuable acquisition. It requires, however, quite as 

 much time and as high a temperature as the Muscat 

 to bring out its best qualities. When thoroughly 

 ripened, it promises to become a good grape for 

 bottling. 



20. Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat.— Like all the 

 thick - skinned winter grapes, this fine variety 

 requires warm treatment and a considerable time to 

 ripen up the fruit. The bunches grow to a large 

 size, but the berries do not always set well, and it is 

 a diflicult grape to colour. When well rij^ened this 

 is one of our best late grapes, and keeps fresh and 

 plump up to the end of April. 



21. Muscat of Alexandria. — This is un- 

 doubtedly the most handsome, as well as the most 

 valuable, white grape in cultivation. The vine is a 

 good grower, shows an abundance of bunches, and 

 sets its fruit fairly well when the roots are in a 

 satisfactory condition in a warm border. The 

 majority of growers who aim at good culture always 

 give this universal favourite a house to itself, as it 

 requires a high temperature when in flower, and 

 again to ripen up the fruit and wood. To ensure a 

 perfect " set," the flowers should be fertilised with 

 pollen from the Hamburgh. When well ripened 

 and properly coloured to a bright amber under the 

 direct influence of plenty of sunshine, this is the 

 king of grapes, and if cut and bottled in December 

 will keep until March. 



22. Muscat-Bowood. — Although this might 

 not be a true cross, it is a valuable grape, of excellent 

 constitution. It was raised as a seedling by the late 

 Mr. Spencer, of Bowood, and, like many others, it 

 differs from the parent in being a little earlier, and 

 setting and finishing in a lower temperature. 

 Where the old variety does weU, this is not an ac- 

 quisition. 



23. Muscat-Hamburgli. — An old friend under 

 a new name, but none the less a first-class variety 

 when it can be induced to set well. It was formerly 

 known as the Black Muscat, and when well grown 

 is one of the most delicious grapes in cultivation. 

 One vine at least grafted on the Hamburgh should 

 be in every collection, where it will do better than 

 on its own roots. 



24. Raisin de Calabre. — A round, w^hite 

 grape, of very indifferent quality, valuable for its 

 late-keeping qualities. The vine is a good grower, 

 and does well in a late house, for which it is best 

 adapted. One vine may be planted in a large col- 

 lection. 



