228 



GRAPE. 



Grapes requiring a high degree of heat, 



19. White Muscat of Lunel, — The bunches of 

 this fine variety are of moderate size, the berries 

 rather thinly set, large, and oval ; colour, dull white ; 

 the skin remarkably thin ; the pulp mellow, with 

 abundance of vinous juice, and of a slight musky 

 flavour. It requires a high temperature to ripen the 

 fruit thoroughly ; but in consequence of its thin skin 

 does not keep long on the tree. 



The first time the author saw and partook of this 

 grape was in 17^9, when he had the pleasure of 

 visiting the gardens of Welbec, then under the care 

 of the celebrated Mr. Speechley. He (the author) 

 would be unjust to his own feelings did he not, on 

 recollection of that interesting visit, pay a just tribute 

 of respect to the memory of one, from whom he 

 received the greatest attention and civility, and who 

 showed him such a sight as he had never seen before, 

 nor has he since. The large double-pitted pine 

 stove was then completely filled with pine apple 

 plants, and the rafters bore his splendid collection of 

 grape vines, fifty varieties, loaded with fruit. The 

 spectacle was no less beautiful than particularly in- 

 teresting to the visitor, who wished the opportunity 

 of making a comparison so useful to him in his 

 business and favourite study of fruit culture. Xo 

 stronger proof could be had of the excellence of the 

 art of gardening, or of the transcendent abilities of 

 the "vTortby superii^tendent of the V^'elbec gardens. 

 No one ^rho has read Speechley 's books, but mu^t 



