1874. ] 
GRAPES : THEIR PECULIAR DEFECTS. 
5o 
and flower. In England it would be necessary to sow in-doors, and transplant 
when the outside soil had become warm, but that has to be done with many less 
showy plants. Probably it would not make so good a show for as long a period 
% 
as here, for want of the bright sunshine which we have during most of the 
year.— James Taplin, South Amboy^ New Jersey, 
GRAPES: THEIR PECULIAR DEFECTS. 
’HERE are but few varieties of Grapes which do not possess some peculiar 
defects or imperfections of constitution ; or perhaps more properly speaking, 
nearly every variety, through improper culture, appears predisposed to pecu¬ 
liar faults which materially detract from its value. This is an imputation 
from which even the most prized and popular varieties are not exempt. 
The Muscat Hamburgh, one of the best of Grapes, is liable to the serious de¬ 
fect of swelling its berries unequally; Mrs, Pince’s Blach Muscat is open to the 
same objection. The latter kind, as well as the Muscat of Alexandria,, is not 
only an indifferent setter, but is seldom seen perfectly coloured. The magnificent 
and much abused Golden Champion generally exhibits one or more dark spots in 
each berry. The Chasselas Musque,, the Boyal Ascot,, and the Madresfield Court 
Muscat,, possess the evil tendency to crack open when nearly ripe ; and even the 
old favourite Black Hamburgh is not wholly free from fault, but frequently pre¬ 
sents unseemly scars and bands of rust on the skin. These defects are not only 
produced in some varieties, by certain conditions of climate or cultivation, but at 
the same time, the like treatment seems perfectly to agree with other varieties, 
it being no uncommon occurrence for these faults to be plainly visible in some 
kinds, while others growing beside them in the same house—nay, even on the 
same vine, may be seen quite free from any characteristic blemish. 
If these imperfections were permanent, it would seem a hopeless task to attempt 
to eradicate or ameliorate them ; but it has been proved that they are not only not 
permanent, but that they are found to yield and even disappear altogether under 
certain special conditions. Should not our aim then be to endeavour by every 
possible means to ascertain what are the peculiar requirements of each variety, 
and to supply those requirements, in every detail, with the strictest accuracy ? 
Some gardeners may perhaps question the propriety of growing certain of the 
varieties mentioned, seeing that they are subject to such defects ; but on second 
consideration, they will, I think, hesitate to condemn them, for even the worst 
possess sufficient good qualities to ensure them a place in our vineries. 
The principal and most important questions, and which are deserving of 
particular attention, appear to be these—First: What are the especial details of 
treatment required by each variety ? Secondly : Which varieties will succeed 
perfectly under precisely the same conditions ? Thirdly: Which are the particular 
kinds requiring separate or special treatment ? 
Having as nearly as possible ascertained these particulars, those kinds only should 
be grown together which are found to succeed perfectly, under the same regime; 
