15 



size towards the extremity of the shoot. The more the leaves are 

 sharply lobed, the less they preserve the orbicular figure. The ribs 

 are very large and distinct, and sometimes have the same tawny or 

 reddish tinge as the leaf-stalk; The tendrils or cirrhi are a filamen- 

 tous growth, an elongation of vessels of the shoot. They are rarely 

 stationed at random, but generally opposite to the leaf ; they are branch- 

 ed or forked according to the strength of the species, the nature of 

 the stock, or the vegetative powers of the shoot. They may be con- 

 verted into fruits-talks by the following simple operation. When 

 branched or forked, the smallest or weakest prong must be nipped off 

 closely and neatly ; three or four days after, on the prong that is left, 

 small buds will make their appearance, which increase and produce 

 well-formed bunches, and mature into excellent grapes. This experi- 

 ment was made for the first tiine in 1817, by M. Ristelhuber of Stras- 

 burg, and has been repeated by a great number of gardeners and 

 vinedressers, and always with perfect success. 



The berry is round or oval, varies in size and hue, being lighter or 

 darker, of a blackish purple, foxy red or green, white or golden yellow. 

 The colour is principally confined to the skin, which is thin, leathery 

 or coriaceous 3 the pulp and the juice are very colourless, even in 

 black grapes. The delicate bloom which coats the berry when ripe, is 

 a symptom of maturity worthy of strict notice, according to Garidel 

 and Estevan Boutelon. Each berry is attached to a fruit-stem or foot- 

 stalk, which springs from the main peduncle or stem of the bunch ; 

 the assemblage of main and minor stems and berries, constitutes the 

 bunch. 



The aroma of the Vine when in flower is highly prized in the East, 

 and thought to possess incredible virtues. It has a very volatile and 

 penetrating fragrance. 



These general characteristics of the Vine, are such as are least 

 known to vary or admit of change ; they are therefore taken as fixed 

 points, on which to append our descriptions of the several sorts and 

 varieties that are found the most profitable for cultivation. 



1. EARLY BLACK MORILLON 



Morillon Noir Hatlf. 



Of this grape three are two kinds } the one is indigenous and is 

 generally called the Magdalen grape ; the other is exotic, and the 

 cultivation of it has only of late years attracted attention. It is known 

 by the appellation of the Ischian or thrice bearing vine. 



