146 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ October, 
once determined to give the system a trial, and 
directly the young fruit was safe, I syringed 
daily at four o’clock, and closed the front sashes, 
leaving the back shutters open an hour longer. 
A very satisfactory change was soon apparent. 
The dark foliage and increased size of the 
leaves gave promise of what I have realised— 
a large crop of full-flavoured fruit, which 
ripened in the regular succession, as described 
in the Catalogues , Mr. Rivers’ excellent Early 
York Peach and Advance Nectarine forming 
the vanguard, followed by the mid-seasons, and 
the rear brought up by that empress of nec¬ 
tarines, Victoria , which yielded its last fruit on 
Sunday, the 19 th, and Lord Palmerston Peach , 
now just ripening. This never used to be, for 
sudden sunshine used to ripen early and late 
together, and strew the floor with immature 
fruit. My trees are now taking their rest, and 
giving promise of better things still in the 
coming year. Rivers’ Goshawk Peach is very 
excellent.—G. D. 
VINES AND VINE-CULTURE. 
Chap. XVIII.— The Varieties of Grapes. 
( Continued .) 
f HE descriptions of the varieties of Grapes 
included in our Synoptical Table are 
here continued from page 66. 
Black July (7).—A round black Sweet¬ 
water Grape.— Synonyms : July, Early Black 
July, De la Madeleine, &c. 
Vine. —Very free and vigorous in growth, and an 
abundant bearer. 
Fruit.—Bunches rather long and loose, and some¬ 
times not very well set. Berries small, round. Skin 
rather thick, deep purple, with a tine bloom. Flesh 
sweet and juicy, not rich, and of no particular 
character. 
Cultural Notes. — Very suitable for planting 
against a wall in the open air, where it ripens very 
freely. 
Season. —First early. 
Merits. —Valuable only on account of its earliness. 
Black Lisbon.— -A synonym of the Alicante; 
which see. 
Black Monukka (2).—An oval black Sweet¬ 
water Grape. 
Vine.—Growth remarkably strong and robust, 
requiring considerable space. Leaves large, rugose, 
with a reddish tinge; the leaf-stalks deep red. A 
somewhat shy fruiter, young plants seldom cropping 
well. 
Fruit.—Bunches very large, frequently measuring 
24 in. to 26 in. in length, and broadly shouldered, 
but of a remarkably regular tapering form, and 
weighing from 3 lb. to 5 lb. Berries small, long- 
ovate, inclining to be conical, or in shape like an 
acorn, measuring § in. in length and fin. in diameter. 
It cannot be said to set well, although it is very 
regular, and the berries are all uniform 5 yet there 
are no perfect seeds, only one—or at most two—half- 
formed, and these being soft, like the flesh, are, as 
well as the skins, eaten with it. Slcin thin, adhering 
to the pulp, whioh is firm, fleshy, not melting, yet 
very tender, and full of juice. In colour it ap¬ 
proaches blaok when well ripened, but is more fre¬ 
quently half-grizzly, and with a thin coating of 
bloom. 
History, fyc. —The Black Monukka is a grape 
supposed to be of Indian origin. It was inti’oduoed 
by the late Mr. Johnson, gardener at Hampton 
Court, and was by him sent to the Royal Horticul¬ 
tural Society, and planted in the Great Conservatory 
at Chiswick, where it may be seen. It has been 
from thence distributed, but is not much cultivated 
in this country. 
Cultural Notes. —Ripens freely under the same 
treatment as Black Hamburgh, and fruits most 
freely on young rods from established plants. It 
requires very little thinning. Some years ago I 
made some interesting experiments in hybridizing 
this grape with the Black Hamburgh, and succeeded 
in fruiting fifteen plants, all of singular yet widely 
different character, but none worthy of cultivation. 
Season. —Mid-season. 
Merits. —One of the most pleasant-flavoured and 
agreeable grapes to the palate that is grown, and 
useful to cut up for sweetmeats. But it can only 
be recommended for cultivation as an extra sort 
where plenty of means are at command. 
Black Morocco (76).—An oval, black 
Vinous Grape.— Synonyms : Ansley’s Large 
Oval, Morocco, Black Muscadel, Horsfortb’s 
Seedling, Ivempsey Alicante. 
Vine.—Growth strong and robust. Leaves large, 
rugose, much cut, with reddish venations and foot¬ 
stalks, dying off reddish. A very shy cropper. 
Fruit. — Bunches large, from 12 in. to 15 in. long, 
on very stout foot-stalks, with strong, irregular 
shoulders. Berries long ovate, very large, but. gene¬ 
rally very badly set; indeed, this is one of the worst 
setting grapes grown. Skin thick, reddish-brown, 
becoming nearly black when well ripened, but 
always paler round the stalk, which is very stout. 
Flesh very firm, and when well ripened, very rich 
and piquant in flavour, and extremely pleasant. 
History, Sfc. —This is a very old grape, to be met 
with in many old gardens ; but is never cultivated 
to any extent. Some years ago it gained consider¬ 
able notoriety at Kempsey through its fine cultiva¬ 
tion, and was for a time considered distinct, and so 
received the name of Kempsey Alicante. 
Cultural Notes. —Requires a considerable amount 
of heat, and artificial impregnation of the flowers, to 
set it well; also a strong heat to ripen the fruit. 
Season. —Late. 
Merits. —One of the most beautiful of late grapes 
when well grown, but its uncertain character renders 
it scarcely worthy of cultivation. 
Black Muscadine (8). —A round black 
Sweetwater Grape.— Synonyms: Cbasselas noir, 
Black Cbasselas, Cbasselas de Fontainebleau 
rouge bfttif. 
Vine. — Groiuth free and vigorous, and very 
fruitful. 
Fruit. — Bunches of medium sizes, rather close 
and compact, well set. Berries small, round. Bkin 
thin, deep purplish black, with a thin bloom. Flesh 
firm, yet juicy and sweet, resembling the Royal 
Muscadine; very pleasant. 
Cultural Notes, —Will succeed against a wall in 
