SOME LITTLE-KNOWN GRAPES. 



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disappointing when in the young state, being slow to start, but the 

 second year, as a rule, it makes gross wood. It is advisable to sliade 

 slightly, as the wood frequently scalds and so does not ripen well, but 

 if the shading is attended to at the right time, no difficulty will be 

 experienced in finishing the wood properly. It is a midseason grape, 

 of a. foxy red colour, with large berries, approaching those of ' Gros 

 Oolmar ' in size. Many are inclined to think from its appearance 

 that it is not ripe, but, in spite of this, no finer flavoured grape can 

 be grown, and where high quality is desired it should always be 

 included. The skin is thin, and, being a larged-berried variety, great 

 care should be taken when thinning to leave abundant room for 

 swelling. 



' Prince of Wales.' — Among the new grapes this one is sure to hold 

 a leading position, because of its fine size and appearance. It origi- 

 nated as a sport from ' Mrs. Pince ' in the gardens of Captain Stirling- 

 Maxwell, of Keir, whose gardener (Mr. Thomas Lunt) is a well-known 

 a,nd skilful grape-grower in the North, and, like many other really good 

 things, it was sent out by Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea. It inherits from 

 its parent some of the fine Muscat flavour which is so pronounced in 

 that variety, but has much larger bunches and berries of a roundish 

 oval shape and blue-black colour. It is a good keeper, and although 

 with age it loses a little of its deep colour, it retains its fine flavour 

 until the berries shrivel. It received an Award of Merit from the 

 Eoyal Horticultural Society on September 25, 1900, and was granted 

 a First-class Certificate in 1908, when shown in the Wisley collection 

 at Vincent Square. It has proved a strong grower and free setter, but 

 it is, like ' Mrs. Pince,' a little averse from too much bright sunshine, 

 and colours and finishes better if slightly shaded during the brighter 

 liours of the day. When pruning it is advisable to leave at least three 

 good buds, as the better bunches are thrown on the young wood. For 

 exhibition purposes it makes a splendid companion to ' Canon Hall 

 Muscat.' It is well worth planting, both as a midseason and as a 

 late variety. 



' Blach Prince.' — This is one of our earliest Sweetwater grapes, 

 and well worth including in all collections. It is one of the earliest 

 grapes to ripen, and is extremely handsome, having long tapering 

 bunches, frequently from 18 inches to 2 feet in length. The berries are 

 medium sized, with a heavy bloom. It is a free grower and sets freely, 

 and the fruit is very juicy and sweet. For exhibition purposes it is an 

 excellent grape, as it usually finishes well, but it should be eaten 

 immediately it is ripe, as it will shrivel if allowed to hang long. 



* White Nice.' — This grape should undoubtedly be in every collec- 

 tion, as it is a late-keeping variety. It is a good grape when it 

 IS allowed to hang, fxrm, sweet, and of good flavour. The vine is 

 a vigorous grower and produces very large bunches. One grower 

 IS reported to have exhibited a bunch of this variety weighing 25 lb. 

 15 oz. Its cultural requirements are similar to those of ' Black Ham- 

 burgh,' but it will keep a great deal longer. It is of a pleasing colour 



