56 



DISTRIBUTION OF GRAPE VINE PLANTS. 



A number of cuttings of the best English Grapes received from the 

 Ro} T al Horticultural Society's Gardens at Chiswick, through the kindness 

 of the authorities at Kew, been grown by Mr. W. J. Thompson in the 

 King's House Grounds by permission of His Excellency the Governor, 

 and rooted plants will be ready for distribution at the end of April. 



Application should be made at once to the Director of Public Gardens 

 and Plantations, Gordon Town P. O., stating the number of plants, and 

 kinds required. Plants cannot be promised after April, as they soon spoil 

 by being kept in bamboo pots. The price is 2d. each plant, delivered in 

 Kingston. Special arrangements will be made with those requiring 50 

 or more. 



The f olio win g descriptions of the grapes are from a valuable work on 

 the subject, " Vines and Vine Culture" by Mr. Barron, who has charge 

 of the Chiswick Gardens. 



Alicante : — Fruit quite black, with a thick bloom, large, of a true 

 ovate shape ; flesh squashy ; flavour somewhat earthy, unless well ripened ; 

 skin thick and leathery bunches large, averaging from 21bs. to 61bs. in 

 weight, very broadly shouldered, conical and regular closely set ; stalk 

 very stout. Late. Very handsome, and easily cultivated. 



Black Hamburgh, or Frankenthal : — Fruit deep bluish-black, 

 covered with a fine bloom, large, roundish-ovate ; flesh firm, yet tender, 

 juicy, and with a pleasant, rich flavour ; bunches medium, ovate with 

 broad shoulders, compact. A mid-season Sweetwater. This is the chief 

 Grape in cultivation in England. 



Black Monukka : — Fruit purplish-red, small, long-ovate, or in shape 

 like an acorn ; flesh firm, tender, seedless, very sweet and pleasant to 

 the taste ; branches very large, long-tapering. A distinct Sweetwater 

 variety, of Indian origin. 



Gros Colman : — Fruit black, with a thick bloom, large, round ; flesh 

 thick, coarse, with a poor watery flavour; bunches medium, broadly 

 shouldered, well set. An extremely handsome and excellent keeping, 

 late, vinous Grape. 



Muscat of Alexandria : — Fruit greenish-yellow, golden when highly 

 ripened, large, long-ovate ; flesh firm, juicy, sweet and rich, with a high 

 Muscat flavour, bunches large, long-tapering. A very handsome and 

 excellent, late Grape. 



Raisin de Calabre : —Fruit white, medium-sized, round ; flesh firm, 

 and possessing little flavour ; branches long-tapering. A late, vinous 

 Grape, which keeps well. 



Royal Ascot : — Fruit purplish -black, large, ovate ; flesh very firm 

 with a strong, piquant, plum-like flavour ; bunches small, short, com- 

 pact, well set. A mid-season vinous Grape. 



Royal Muscadine : — Fruit greenish-white, small, round : flesh firm, 

 juicy, sweet, and exceedingly pleasant ; bunches small, long-tapering, 

 compact, well set. A good, open air, early Sweetwater Grape, also known 

 as White Chasselas. 



Trebbiano : — Fruit greenish -white, changing to pale amber when 

 fully ripe, large, ovate ; flesh firm, sweetly flavoured, but not rich ; 

 bunches very large (one example weighing 26}lbs. has been grown; 

 broadly shouldered, well set. A late, vinous Grape. 



