Page:The family kitchen gardener - containing plain and accurate descriptions of all the different species and varieties of culinary vegetables (IA familykitchengar56buis).pdf/190

 have made two eyes’ growth beyond the fruit, except the leaders, as above intimated.

There is nothing in the above that is not perfectly simple, and may be put in practice by any farmer, along every fence rail.

is the Vìtis vinífera of botanists, a fruit of the East, where it luxuriates in profusion, being the food and drink of many of the inhabitants of those countries. In these climates it grows without limit, and even under the dry, genial suns of France and the countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea, it attains great perfection. This climate, however, is inimical to its growth, and after bearing for a few years, it suddenly dies off. Its perfection can only be attained under glass; but with that as a cover, and a knowledge of the cause and effect of the disease to which it is subject, it will amply repay the attention paid to its culture. For such a purpose we introduce the following varieties:

Black Frontignan.—A very rich-flavored Grape, with a peculiar, musky flavor. Bunches rather small, long and compact. Berries medium size; skin thin, covered with a violet bloom. A good bearer; bunches about one pound weight.

Black Hamburg is the best of all Grapes, taking into consideration its combined qualities of productiveness, large size, and fine flavor. Bunches rather tapering, with two or three shoulders, making what is called a well-shouldered bunch. Berries large, sometimes four inches in circumference, rather round, of a jet black color, but vary very much under different treatment; in a warm, moist, or dry atmosphere, ripening from a pale red to its proper color; skin rather thick. Flesh rich, juicy and melting. It is a very large bunch, weighing three pounds.