10 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ January, 
spicuously green amongst others, being late in ripen¬ 
ing and changing colour; and they die off yellow, or 
occasionally tinged with red. 
Fruit.—Bunches large, or very large, averaging 
from 2 lb. to 6 lb. in weight, broadly-shouldered, 
sometimes regularly tapering, and of very handsome 
form, but more frequently divided, or with large, 
irregular shoulders that assume the appearance of a 
cluster of bunches; always very closely and well set. 
Stalk stout and strong, very short, the bunch fre¬ 
quently resting on the shoot. Berry-stalk thick, 
short, and slightly warted. Berries large, of a true 
oval shape, quite black, and covered with a dense 
blue bloom. Skin thick and leathery. Flesh some¬ 
what squashy, with a tinge of red, and adhering 
somewhat to the skin. Flavour, in general, some¬ 
what earthy and disagreeable, but when well ripened, 
and after hanging a long time, they are more brisk 
and pleasantly flavoured, but seldom rich. 
History, Jffc. —There is no authoritative record of 
the introduction of this grape. The name is Spanish, 
but it is applied to several varieties of grapes 
coming from thence. Dr. Hogg (Fruit Manual) 
states that ho has met with it in the vine¬ 
yards in the south of France, under the name of 
Espagnin Noir. It is no doubt the same as Speech- 
ley’s Alicant, but it is to Mr. Meredith, late of 
Garston Vineyard, that the credit for the popularity 
of this grape is due. His excellent and extensive 
cultivation of it led to its being called Meredith’s 
Alicante, in order to distinguish it from Kempsey 
Alicante, at that time much praised and recom¬ 
mended, but which was ultimately proved to be 
Black Morocco. 
Cultural Notes. —There are few better-constitu- 
tioned or more easily cultivated grapes than this. 
It will grow and succeed in any ordinary vinery, but 
the more heat that is given to ripen it, the betterthe 
flavour. It is generally very fruitful, always sets 
well, and colours magnificently. 
Season. —It is best suited for late use. Where 
Grapes are required after Christmas, there is no 
sort that keeps so well, and it is more largely cul¬ 
tivated for market than any other variety, excepting 
the Black Hamburgh. 
Merits. —Quality third-rate, but valuable for its 
excellent keeping and free-fruiting properties, 
splendid appearance and fine constitution. 
Alnwick Seedling (75).— An oval, black 
Vinous Grape,— Synonym : Olive House Seed¬ 
ling. 
Vine.—Growth very strong, robust, and vigorous, 
producing long-jointed wood, remarkably free in 
constitution; the young growing shoots nearly 
smooth, reddish in colour ; the ripened wood firm, 
with reddish-brown bai’k, and lai'ge prominent buds. 
Leaves very large, smooth, or nearly so, deeply ser¬ 
rated, dying off bright yellow. 
Fruit.—Bunches large, broadly and irregularly 
shouldered, and bluntly conical, the stalks very long 
and strong. Berries large, roundish-ovate, on strong 
footstalks, marked with a very distinct line or suture 
across the apex of each fruit. Skin thick and 
tough, of a deep purplish black colour, covered with 
a thick blue bloom. Flesh firm, tinged with red; 
seeds large. Flavour strong and sparkling, becoming 
rich and sweet when well ripened, in that respect 
very much resembling the Black Morocco; by some 
it may, perhaps, be termed harsh. 
History, fyc. —This is a comparatively new grape, 
having been first brought under notice by Mr. Bell, 
of Clive House, Alnwick, who submitted examples of 
it to the Fruit Committee in 1876, under the name 
of Clive House Seedling. Subsequently it was proved 
to have been raised at Alnwick Castle, and that 
name was consequently adopted, It is stated to be 
a hybrid between Black Morocco, which it resembles 
in flavour, and another black variety. 
Cultural Notes. —It is yet too early to form an 
opinion as to the real character of this grape, or the 
cultivation required. It is an extraordinarily free 
grower, but appears to require heat or artificial 
means to set the berries properly, and much heat 
to ripen them thoroughly. 
Season. —Late. 
Merits. —Quality second-rate; valuable as a late 
grape, for its excellent keeping qualities, and hand¬ 
some appearance. 
Amber Muscadine.—A synonym of Royal 
Muscadine: wkicli see.—A. F. Barron. 
CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES. 
Novelties at Larkhall Rise. 
ESIRING to get an account of the beau¬ 
tiful seedling Carnations and Picotees 
we had seen last season in the garden of 
Mr. E. S. Dodwell, we requested our friend Mr. 
Robert Lord to send us some notes thereupon. 
In response, he has handed to us the following 
letter, addressed by Mr. Dodwell to him, which 
he says “ gives a fuller and more perfect record, 
than the briefness of his stay enabled him to 
make.” Mr. Lord further says, “ Mr. Dodwell’s 
notes apply only to the seedlings of 1879. Of 
those of 1878, he has ten or twelve varieties, at 
least, ‘ fit to go anywhere and do anything.’ ” 
Clapham, S'.IF. December 4th, 1879. 
My Dear Friend,—A bitter frost, now virtually 
of three weeks’ duration, and with every appearance 
of even a yet longer continuance, seems an inoppor¬ 
tune time to descant upon the pleasures of a garden, 
and the work and results of the past year therein. 
But as it suspends all work amongst the plants, and 
perfoi’ce compels me to abide by the fireside, it 
gives opportunity to redeem my promise of writing 
you a long letter, whilst the barren chill without 
makes the delights of memory all the more vivid 
and warm within. 
Up to the time of your leaving Chatham Terrace 
on August 13th, though one or two of the Bizarres, 
most notably that one called Charles Turner, had 
been promising, I had felt the result of the bloom 
amongst the seedlings unsatisfactory and dis¬ 
appointing. But the fine summer days from the 
12th to the 16th, the only summer days we had 
here, worked a wondrous change, and the flowers 
came out with a vividness and beauty which, once 
seen, could never fade from memory; and in several 
cases, where expectation long protracted had paled 
almost into disappointment, reward far beyond 
anticipation was realised. Especially was this the 
case with the seedlings from Curzon. Here let me 
repeat an opinion recorded many years ago, and re¬ 
newed by the experience of the bloom of this, which 
was, in old Derby phraseology, “grand ” indeed, that 
whatever we may succeed in doing in the direction of 
diversity, or increased size, or other points, no effort 
will ever surpass Curzon at its best. This I am 
bound to remark, lest I should mislead even you in 
what I have to say upon seedlings.from it. With this 
proviso, then, I am gratified to tell you that I have 
some three or four, fully equal to the parent, and as 
worthy of naming as that we designated Robert Lord, 
with quito a dozen others of good, average, useful 
