Riiown in some Vineyards under the names of White, Green and 

 Black Melier. The White Meher is preferable to the Black or Green 

 though the latter is a great bearer, but slightly ever subject to the 

 Bhght of the blossom, and never takes the Yellows. It is found very 

 profitable to plant it along with white vines. 



11. THE MUSCAT. 



Le Muscat. 



The Muscat is generally preferred as a table-grape ; very little wine 

 is made of it, even at Rivesaltes, ( Eastern Pyrennees,) at Frontignan 

 and Lunel, (Herault.) The grapes are round, firm, and very large ; 

 mostly very much crowded on the cluster, and of a very pleasant 

 musky flavour There are White, Red, Black, and Blue varieties. 



The overgrown bunch of the White Muscat is very long, narrow 

 and round at the point. The grapes are so thick set, that they re- 

 quire to be thinned to ripen well, They are firm, and brittle under 

 the teeth ; and are of a light green colour, amber-yellow on the sun- 

 ny side. The pulp is white, with a blue eye, and a strong flavour of 

 musk. It does not ripen easily as far north as the environs of Paris. 

 The wine made from it has much body, and a decided taste of the 

 fruit, with a most fragrant bouquet ; and it gains by age. 



The Red Muscat has a less crowded cluster, and shorter bunch ; 

 the quite globular berry takes a bricky hue, or a pale mottle, where 

 shaded ; the sunny side is blue or purple. 



The Black Muscat is known by the slender cluster, loosely studded 

 with berries, which are very round, smaller and less musky than the 

 preceding ; the skin black, downy, or of a black purple. The pulp 

 is red next the skin. This grape ripens easily, and by some, is highly 

 esteemed. 



The Alexandrian Muscat, has the leaf smaller and more indented 

 than the other varieties. The clusters are very bulky and full of 

 long, large, oval berries, about an inch in length, of a light green, 

 slightly ambered or gilt, firm, brittle to the teeth, and of a musky, 

 agreeable savour. The berries have often but one stone, sometimes 

 none. The fruit keeps a long while ; and rarely ripens as far north 

 as Paris. It should be planted in a strong mould, with an exposure 

 to the south. 



