THE ' BLACK MONUKKA ' GKAPE. 



669 



THE ' BLACK MONUKKA ' GRAPE. 



Very few people seem to be acquainted with the merits of this Grape ; 

 had it not indeed been preserved in the Society's Garden, in all likelihood it 

 would have disappeared from the face of the earth, for, though originally 

 from India, people in India have recently been unable to find it there and 

 have been supplied with it by the Society, aptly illustrating the old Book's 

 saying, " Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shait find it after many 

 days," which, translated into gardening language, is, " Give away liberally 

 anything you have, and when your own stock fails your neighbours will 

 be able to set you up again." 



The late Dr. Hogg describes it thus : — " Bunches very large, shouldered, 

 and thickly set. Berries singularly shaped, being like monster bar- 

 berries, obovate-oblong. Skin of a deep dull chestnut colour, very thin, 

 adhering closely to the flesh, which is firm, crisp, and very juicy, with a 

 sweet and very rich flavour, more so than 1 Black Hamburgh.' This is a 

 remarkable-looking Grape, and may be eaten with pleasure, being entirely 

 without seeds. The vine is a vigorous grower and a great bearer, and is 

 highly deserving of cultivation." 



To this description of our great pomologist (who still, we regret to say, 

 finds no successor) we need only add that the individual berries are small 

 compared with ' Black Hamburgh,' and although ninety-nine out of every 

 hundred are seedless you do occasionally come across a seed ; but, speaking 

 generally, you can pull the berries off the stalks and press them into your 

 mouth and enjoy the refreshing juice and luscious flavour without any 

 inconvenience from skin or pips. 



Fig. 207 shows six bunches of 1 Black Monukka ' grown by A. F. Harts- 

 horn, Esq., in Shropshire from eyes given him by the Society five years 

 ago. He says : — " They were grown in a lean-to greenhouse with a southern 

 aspect, which ripened thoroughly without the aid of artificial heat. The 

 vine border was made three feet deep and six feet wide. At the bottom was 

 put a layer of broken bricks and stones for drainage ; over that was placed 

 a layer of turf (turned grass downwards) ; it was then filled in with a com- 

 post consisting of burnt grass, weeds, fresh bones, fibrous loam, and 

 manure from a slaughterhouse. The vines were planted outside the 

 greenhouse, and passed through the wall and trained on the one-rod 

 system, and were pruned back to one eye in December. To ventilate the 

 greenhouse it was found better to open the top lights only, until the 

 berries were set and the season well advanced ; afterwards the front lights 

 were opened as well as the top, according to the weather. The vines were 

 not syringed, but the method was adopted of well watering the floor after 

 sunset, which answered capitally. By this process the foliage was kept 

 moist and healthy, without the great risk of scalding the leaves. When 

 the vines commenced to blossom all moisture was avoided until the berries 

 were; formed : as soon as this had taken place watering of the floor was 



