LATE-KEEPING GRAPES. 



241 



Grape, and when exceptionally well ripened it is not to be 

 despised in flavour as a late Grape. It must have a long season 

 to develop, and should be ripened as early as possible in the 

 autumn. It requires a good temperature throughout, with avoid - 

 ance of overcropping, and preservation of the foliage. 



Alicante. — A useful and easily grown variety where the tem- 

 perature advised for late Grapes is well maintained. It grows, 

 sets, and colours well, making handsome compact bunches, but 

 is not usually of quite first-rate flavour, though decidedly superior 

 to Gros Colin ar. 



Mrs. Pince. — Many prefer the flavour of this to any late 

 black Grape grown, but it is not often seen in first-rate con- 

 dition, the two defects in its culture that I have noticed being 

 the not allowing sufficient foliage, which is produced rather 

 sparsely as compared with other varieties, and the not giving it a 

 sufficiently long time for maturing. The berries are apt to shrivel 

 early, but the flavour is then even still richer than if it is not 

 so far advanced. 



Ahnuick Seedling. — The chief trouble with this fine-looking 

 Grape is its imperfect setting, necessitating artificial fertilisation 

 with pollen from other varieties. The besb results are obtained 

 when it is allotted a house to itself, and special treatment at the 

 setting stage and onwards. Then it colours beautifully, keeping to 

 a late period, but the flavour is never remarkably good. 



Gros Guillaumc. — This is commonly but erroneously known 

 as " Babarossa," and is only noted here on account of the very 

 large bunches it produces. It is not a Grape to be depended 

 upon for a serviceable crop, though well-coloured bunches have 

 a fine appearance. 



West's St. Peter's. — A good keeping, pleasantly flavoured 

 Grape that is worth more attention than it generally receives. 

 Treated upon the system described in this paper, it grows and 

 sets freely, its compact bunches keeping extremely well. 



Black Maroc is rarely seen in good condition, and is not to 

 be recommended for general cultivation, though sometimes it 

 can be had in excellent form. It requires very close attention, 

 as it is a most uncertain " setter," and a long ripening season. 

 It is interesting as one of the parents of the two very useful 

 Grapes, Lady Downe's and Foster's Seedling. 



Passing on to white varieties, Muscat of Alexandria is far 



G 



