Plants in the Hortus
Many of the plants described here were listed in the catalogues of plants published by Sir William Macarthur in 1843, 1845, 1850 and 1857 and in an unpublished catalogue dated 1861. A large number of additional plants were identified from correspondence, gardening notebooks and other documents surviving in the archives. The Hortus attempts to describe all the plants grown in the gardens at Camden Park and those grown in horticultural enterprises such as orchards and vineyards and includes plants grown outside the gardens in the park-like environs of the Camden Park estate. The Hortus plants served a wide range of purposes in the 19th century household; as ornament, living fences, fibre, dyestuffs, medicines, food and drink from the garden, orchard and vineyard and many others.
Vitis vinifera ‘Pinot Blanc’
‘No. 14 – Pineau Blanc (48/1, 52/1, 35/2, or Nos. 48 and 52 of the private collection, and No. 35, of the Luxembourg). One of the most celebrated wine grapes of the North of France, and extensively cultivated in the best vineyards of Burgundy and Champagne. Bunches very small, berries small, very sweet and sugary, produces very little, but of excellent quality; requires same distance as No.1 [Pineau Gris], and may ripen its crop perhaps from ten to fourteen days later.’ [Maro p.24/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘Pinot Gris’
‘No. 1 – Pineau Gris (No. 56/1, of the 1st, or Mr. Busby’s private collection in the Botanic Gardens, but misnamed in the catalogue Carbenet Sauvignon [sic], which does not exist there). Small pink or greyish grape, which sets in small close clusters; very early ripe, very sugary and sweet to the palate, bears little, but is excellent for wine, a very hardy plant, but requiring several years to attain sufficient vigour to produce fruit, requires very little room, never exceeding 4ft. by 2ft. 6ins., and in the colder districts may be planted at 3ft. by 2ft. This is the most promising wine grape I have been enabled to select for an elevated cold region. It may be expected to yield under proper management from 200 to 400 gallons to the acre, according to the soil and season.’ [Maro p.21/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘Pinot Noir’
‘Bunches, small, very compact, cylindrical, and occasionally shouldered. Berries, generally oval, inclining to roundish. Skin, thin, blue-black, covered with blue bloom. Flesh, juicy, sweet, and richly flavoured. Ripens well against a wall in the open air, and is one of the best for this purpose. The bunches are larger than those of Miller's Burgundy.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.373/1884].
Vitis vinifera ‘Raisin de Carmes’
Probably Raisin de Carmes. ‘Bunches long, loose. Berries very large, of an irregular oval figure, with a few small berries intermixed. Skin rather thick, of a dusky reddish purple colour, and covered with a fine bloom. Flesh firm, juicy, and very rich, combined with a little acid. Seeds large, seldom more than one in each berry.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.203/1831].
Vitis vinifera ‘Raisin Vert’
‘No. 18 – Raisin Vert (385/3, or No. 385 of the Montperlier collection [of Busby]). White grape, apparently a variety of the Pineau family, more luxuriant in its growth, and more productive than Nos. 1 [Pineau Gris] and 14 [Pineau Blanc], but not so rich in saccharine matter; has the appearance of being a good wine grape.’ [Maro p.25/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘Riesling’
‘Bunches, small, short, and compact, scarcely, if at all, shouldered. Berries, round, or somewhat oblate. Skin, thin, greenish white, and, when highly ripened, sometimes with a reddish tinge. Flesh, tender, fleshy, and juicy, with a sweet and agreeably aromatic flavour.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.412/1884].
Vitis vinifera ‘Sahibee’
The only description I have found is this from The Penny Magazine: ‘oblong, yellowish-green, fleshy, dry grape’. [The Penny Magazine p.151/1836]. The extended abstract given below suggests that this is a grape particularly suited to tropical climates.
Vitis vinifera ‘Sauvignon Blanc’
‘No. 31 - Sauvignon Blanc. White grape, of great reputation in the vineyards near Bordeaux, in which are made the wines of Barsac, Sauterne, &c. Hardy vigorous plant, fruit oval, rather deficient in juice; only commenced bearing in 1841, but appears to produce moderately well.’ [Maro p.28/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘Sauvignon Cendré’
‘No. 20 - Sauvignon Cendre (355/3, or No. 355 of the Montpelier collection [of Busby]). White grape, bears occasionally immense crops, but is in this respect very variable, is probably a good wine grape. This and No. 18 [Raisin Vert] require rather more room than Nos. 1 [Pineau Gris] and 14 [Pineau blanc].’ [Maro p.25/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘Shiraz’
‘Bunches, long, loose, and shouldered. Berries, large, oval. Skin, thick, reddish purple, covered with blue bloom. Flesh, rather firm and juicy. Juice, pale red, sugary, and with a delicious aroma. Ripens in a cool vinery, and is as early as the Royal Muscadine.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.406/1884].
Vitis vinifera ‘Terret’
Three grapes are known under the generic name ‘Terret’, ‘Noir’, ‘Gris’ and ‘Blanc’.
Vitis vinifera ‘Tinta’
‘No. 12 – Tinta. Imported by the Australian Agricultural Company, in 1825. Black, with deep red juice, sugary but very austere, not fit to be used alone, but may be very valuable to combine with other grapes for red wine, in the proportion of not exceeding one-fourth (with Nos. 1 [Pineau Gris, 3 [Dolcetto], 9 [Small Black Grape], and 13 [Black Grape], for instance). I have tasted very good wine, in the manufacture of which this grape was used to about the above extent. The bunches are tolerably large, berries small and crowded, produces moderately well. It is said to be cultivated extensively at Madeira, for the manufacture of Tinta Madeira, and to be one of the seven sorts which enter into the composition of the best white wines of the island. A very hardy plant, requiring same room as Nos. 1 and 2 [Pineau Gris and White Grape 57/1]. [Maro p.23/1844].
Vitis vinifera ‘Ulliade’
‘Bunches, medium sized, and with long stalks. Berries, large, oval, uniform in size, and dangling from long stalks. Skin, thin, of a dark purplish black colour, and covered with bloom. Flesh, firm and crackling, juicy, sweet, and of a rich vinous flavour. The vine is a very abundant bearer, and ripens its fruit in a cool vinery, but to have it in perfection it requires the same treatment as the Frontignans. It is a delicious grape.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.400/1884].
Vitis vinifera ‘Verdelho’
‘Berries oval, small, having numerous very small ones, without seeds, interspersed; of a greenish yellow, but of a slight amber-coloured russet when fully exposed to the sun. Skin thin, almost transparent. Juice rather acid in ripening, but when fully matured of a rich saccharine flavour.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.211/1831].
Page 216 of 219 pages ‹ First < 214 215 216 217 218 > Last ›
