ANSWERS TO QUERIES. 
503 
Pruning Nut Trees.—To “X.” p. 138, and 409, an Article on 
the subject will appear shortly: 
Quality of Grapes. —Page 180, the character and quality of 
the Esptrione Grape are as follows:— Bunches handsomely shoul¬ 
dered, and differing little in size from the black Hamburgh. Berries 
varying much in form; being sometimes round, frequently flat- 
rotund, and indented on the head, with the remains of the style. A 
groove or channel is often observed on one side or both, decreasing 
from the head downwards. Skin of a deep purple colour, inclining 
to black, covered with a thick blue bloom. The Flesh adheres to the 
skin, and though neither high-flavoured nor melting is pleasant. The 
leaves are variously cut, and die upon the tree of an orange hue. It 
is very prolific, very hardy, and of most luxuriant growth, perfecting 
its fruit equally well and early with the Sweet Water and Musca¬ 
dine, and in unfavourable seasons has a decided advantage, over these 
and any other hardy grape. The F'Arboyce or Royal Muscadine 
is a white grape, the bunches are large, with middling sized shoulder 
berries of a moderate size, round, white, when ripe turning to an 
amber colour, having a thin skin, a soft flesh, and a rich vinous 
juice.* This will either do in a vinery or on the open wall; it is a 
very prolific bearer. 
Pears. —To “ T. Butler,” p. 186, the Qualities and Character of the 
Verlaine Pear, I cannot give, not being acquainted with it; the Fe¬ 
lices d'Hardenpont is above the middle size, with a small eye, the 
skin of a pale yellow, with russety dots, with whitish flesh, rather 
gritty, but with good flavour, coming into use in November, and of 
the best quality for table; it will thrive as a standard, but bears the 
best against a wall. The Colmar Epineur is an excellent table pear 
of the very finest quality, coming into use in December: The trees 
seldom canker, and are great bearers, either as standards or against 
an east or south-east wall. The Belle de Jersey is an excellent pear 
for kitchen purposes, grows to a large size, ripens about Christmas. 
The Colmar Josephine , I believe to be a good fruit, but I cannot 
speak from my own experience. 
AppleTrees.— 'To “T. Butler,” p. 186, the pipes seldom or rarely 
produce fruit like the Apple where they were extracted. In planting 
both sides of a wall, I recommend placing them alternate in pre¬ 
ference to being opposite, as in the latter case the roots are apt to 
interfere too much with each other. Any fruit trees will suffer from 
being planted too near strong shrubs, if the roots of the shrubs min¬ 
gle with those of the fruit trees. 
* Lindley’s Guide. 
