286 



fruiting last year the destruction of the scale insects would have meant 

 very sei ious damage to the crop. During the Spring therefore when 

 the leaves, as usual in the spring, all fell from the Teak trees fire 

 was run through the plantation, which destroyed the scale insects. The 

 pruning of the Grape Vines was carried on at the same time, and great 

 cai ii taken to burn all primings which were not needed for cuttings. 

 All such growths were carefully washed in preparation of Telola eoap. 

 Then the whole of the vines were thoroughly washed to clean off any 

 scale insects which were on them, and painted over with a mixture of 

 soot, sulphur, and cow manure, thus ensuring the destruction of all the 

 eggs of the scale insects. It is early yet to venture an opinion as to 

 the success of grapes at Hope, but my present opinion is, and in this I 

 am borne out by that eminent grape grower, the Rev. TV. Griffith, that 

 the hot lowlands near the sea are the places peculiarly adapted for grape 

 growing and that the elevation of Hope (600 feet) is much against it. 

 We bhall, however, have about one hundred vines, each bearing a little 

 fruit 'this year, and the quality of the fruit will largely determine the 

 qu< tioD Six black Hamburgh vines, pruned on the 10th of December, 

 ripened up very nice fruit indeed in April. The bunches were not 

 larg , s one might expect from this variety, but the berries were large 

 of a fine colour and flavour. Three bunches were exhibited in the 

 Collegiate Hall on the occasion of Dr. Morris's lecture and were admired 

 by all who sa'w them. These vines will be pruned in September and 

 October of the present year to see if we can ripen fruit in February 

 and March. Earlier than that is perhaps not possible at Hope, although 

 in districts like the lowlands of Manchester, St. Elizabeth and West- 

 moreland they probably may be ripened in January. 



The vinery at Hope will always be, to a large extent, experimental. 



It is important now to determine — 



1. The best varieties : 



(a) the heaviest cropper ; 



(b) the finest looking grape; 



(c) the best traveller ; 



(d) the period at which they are ready to cut with a view 



of sending them long distances. 



2. The best methods of training whether on arbours, fences or 



otherwise. 



3. The best method of root cultivation. 



4. The best method of pruning. 



With reference to varieties, so far as it has been possible to deter- 

 mine at Hope, the varieties to be grown on a large scale must be se- 

 lectee! from the following : — 



Black Hamburgh. 

 Muscat of Alexandria. 

 Alicante, (black). 

 Raisin de Calabre. 

 • e bearing large bunches of fine black grapes was also brought 

 from King's House to Hope but unfortunately the label was lost in 



