OBSERVATIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF GRAPE TINES. 
brought from Italy by the Duke of Portland. ¥e believe there is no better black grape ; but 
from cuttings received direct from "Welbeck, only two out of seven vines which we planted 
proved to be right, — the others being common Hamburgh ; and hence, to some extent, we know 
that kind was sent out for the Tripoli. 
"We had intended to have given an engraving of the bunch of the Pope grown at Trentham, 
but as our page would only take about one quarter of the bunch, and as to reduce it would destroy 
the interest connected with it, we are compelled to confine ourselves to a statement of the 
dimensions : length, ten inches ; width across the shoulders, eleven inches ; probable circumference, 
three feet. "We append a very admirable article by Mr. Flem in g, in which his experience in 
connection with the Mill-hill Hamburgh is fully stated. — A. 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF GRAPE VINES. 
By Mr. FLEMING, Gardexer to the Duke of Sutherland, Trentham. 
THE Mill-hill Grape was brought into notice a few years since, having been grown at a gentleman's 
seat near Derby, from whence, through the liberality of the proprietor, it soon found its way into 
several gardens in the neighbourhood, and, from the size and beauty of the berries, it became in a short 
time generally sought after. Mr. Barron, of Elvaston Gardens, favoured us with a few eyes of it, from 
which were raised sufficient plants to furnish a house in 1846. The vines, which were planted on a well 
made border, eighteen inches deep, resting on a concrete bottom, having a rapid fall and plenty of 
rough material to drain off the superabundant moisture, grew rapidly and ripened then- wood well 
from the beginning ; and five splendid crops have since been cut from them. The excellence of this 
grape is now beyond all doubt ; not, however, as an early forcing one, as it does not ripen so early by a 
fortnight as the old Black Hamburgh ; but on account of its fine size and colour, and from its hanging 
so long after it is ripe. A Black Grape, possessing the qualities of size, colour, and long keeping, being 
so much required for winter use along with the Muscat of Alexandria, and Charlcsworth Tokay, (than 
which there are no better white grapes), I feel pleasure in stating what I know of the Mill-hill. 
With some the wood does not ripen well, but this must be occasioned by deep moist borders, as our 
Vines, which are pruned upon the close spur system, have ripened every inch of wood which they have 
been allowed to make since the second year. The bunches of this grape are not large, but they are 
well shouldered and handsome. The berries, which are round and indented, are as large as the Black 
Damascus. The leaves are of a more regular form than the common Hamburgh, being nearly circular, 
less deeply serrated, and the upper surface smoother and of a shining dark green. 
The " Pope" Grape is another land of Black Hamburgh, which is well worthy of culture from its 
being the earliest and sweetest of the numerous varieties of this really useful and most generally grown 
vine. It is the only kind of Hamburgh grown by Mr. Robertson at Swhmerton, near Stone, in Staf- 
fordshire ; and we have seldom seen finer crops than he obtains. The bunches are large and hand- 
some, and black as jet ; and the berries, although not so large as what is called " Wilmot's Victoria," 
are better flavoured. The " Pope" Grape is the best forcing one we have tried, being a ti-ec grower, an 
abundant bearer, and becoming well flavoured even when ripened in February or March. It is the 
best of its class to plant in small houses for producing early crops. 
Next in importance to having Grapes early, is having them to keep late ; and, after trying several 
experiments, we have found the Charlcsworth Tokay to keep longer without shrinking than any we 
have grown. Its flavour is very similar to the Muscat of Alexandria, and from its being of a more 
robust habit and setting freely, it is a more desirable vine. The Muscat of Alexandria, grafted upon 
the White Tokay, keeps its fruit longer in a plump state then when on its own roots, which, we be- 
lieve, is owing to the latter being a strong rooting vine, which grows very late in the season. We 
have the "White Tokay here as a stock for the Muscat, with leaves still upon it;* while the leaves of 
the Muscat grafted upon it have ripened perfectly and fallen more than a fortnight. The fruit upon 
the grafted vines arc of a beautiful amber colour, and quite fresh ; while those on Muscats of the same 
age on their own roots are shrinking. 
Grafting, budding, or inarching vines of the late keeping kinds is much to be commended : for, al- 
though the size of the berries is smaller, the flavour is improved ; and judging from our experience of 
the last few years, the fruit keeps three weeks or a month later. 
• January 8th. 
