CXVlli PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



SHEEWSBUEY SHOW, AUGUST 21, 1912. 



The Council sent a non-competitive exhibit of grapes from Wisley to 

 the above Show. It attracted an immense deal of attention, and the 

 Society's official was kept busy throughout the Show answering 

 inquiries concerning the relative merits of the several varieties shown, 

 points of cultivation, &c. The exhibit consisted of a quite unique 

 collection of twenty-five varieties, cut from the vineries of the Society 

 at Wisley. When the glasshouses at Wisley were first erected it was 

 decided that a thoroughly representative collection of grapes should be ' 

 grown, and three divisions in a span-roofed range were set apart for | 

 the purpose. Not only were the best known and most popular varieties 

 planted, but many of the little known ones as well. At least 

 twelve out of the twenty-five that were shown at Shrewsbury came 

 under the latter category. The idea of the Council was to create 

 a taste for some of the finest flavoured grapes known, many of 

 which, on account of their size or colour, are not popular from the 

 exhibitors' standpoint. The results that have been obtained have fully 

 justified this departure in grape growing, as is borne out by the increasing i 

 demand made from year to year for vine eyes for propagating purposes, 

 both by trade growers and for private gardens as well. The following 

 are some of the little grown grapes shown by our Society at Shrews- 

 bury, viz. : * Lady Hastings,' a very fine black Muscat-flavoured grape, 

 which developed as a sport from * Muscat Hambro' ' at Melton Con- j 

 stable, the Marquis of Hastings' seat in Norfolk. Mr. Shingler, the j 

 gardener there, it should be noted, won the challenge trophy offered ' 

 by the Shrewsbury Society, being placed first on no fewer than four 

 occasions. * Prince of Wales,' another remarkable new grape, was 

 also included. It originated in Scotland, as a sport from * Mrs. Pince ' ; ! 

 it is an imposing-looking grape in every respect. * Black Prince, ' a good 

 grape that is now seldom seen, was in fine order. Of white grapes 

 there are many varieties too little known, even in private gardens. 

 These include a unique trio which originated at Dalkeith Palace Gardens, 

 the residence of the Duke of Buccleuch, when Mr. Wm. Thomson was 

 gardener there : these are the ' Duchess of Buccleuch, ' one of the 

 finest-flavoured white grapes known; the * Duke of Buccleuch,' a hand- 

 some grape with huge berries ; and ' Golden Champion,' with somewhat 1 

 similar characteristics. Both the * White Frontignan ' and * Mrs. I 

 Pearson ' were also included, the latter one of the many fine grapes 

 raised at Chilwell, Notts, by the late Mr. J. E. Pearson. * Lady j 

 Hutt,' raised at Appley Towers, Isle of Wight, by Mr. Miles, gardener 

 there to Lady Hutt; this is the finest white grape for keeping into the 

 New Year. * Chasselas Napoleon,' a grape of French origin, was | 

 represented in fine character. Of red grapes, actually red when 

 fully ripe, there are two that stand in the front rank from point of 

 flavour : these are * Muscat Champion, ' a grape that was raised at 

 Dalmeny, the Scottish residence of the Earl of Eosebery; it has large 

 bunches and huge berries, which in point of flavour have all the good 



