By Mr. Joseph Thompson. 



265 



approved of, is the small quantity of fibrous substance, and 

 the abundance of very rich vinous juice contained in the 

 berries. These good qualities render it liable to internal 

 decomposition very soon after maturity. It stands under two 

 different names in the nurserymen's catalogues, viz. Black 

 Damascus, and the Worksop Manor Grape ; the latter name 

 originated with the late Mr. North, Nurseryman. It was 

 imported from Damascus by Edward, the ninth Duke of 

 Norfolk, and first cultivated at Worksop Manor many years 

 prior to that nobleman's decease. In the years 1786 there 

 was a Vine of this kind in the present Manor Gardens, w hich 

 covered the end, and three rafters of a Pine stove. Mr. 

 Cooper, the gardener, had raised this from the original im- 

 ported tree which grew in the old garden. 



No. III. Black Grape from Tripoli. 



This good Grape stands very erroneously described by 

 Mr. Speechly, who had, previous to the publication of his 

 book in 1789, only grown it in a pot, and grafted on a spur of 

 the Syrian Grape. He says " this Grape seems nearly allied 

 to the former species, but the branches are always composed 

 of large equal sized berries with one stone in each, &c." 

 Subsequent cultivation proves that its general character bears 

 no affinity to the Black Damascus. This kind grows freely 

 without stoppages, and is very prolific. The leaves are strong 

 and succulent, not liable to scorch by any moderate tem- 

 perature, they are more lobed, and on long foot stalks. The 

 bunches are well shouldered, with long slender peduncles. 

 The berries are nearly all of a size, and are undulated 

 slightly. Some are without seeds, and some have two or three 



vol. vii. M m 



