THE GREAT VINE

Evening Post, Issue 73, 23 September 1936, Page 12

THE GREAT VINE

THIS YEAR'S GRAPES SOLD

Forty people bought bunches of grapes from the famous Great Vine at Hampton Court on August 24, the first day this year that they were cut for sale to the public. The grapes are packed, lib at a time, in baskets made by. the St. Dunstan's blind ex-service-men (says the "Daily Telegraph"). The vinery was a refreshing sight on a hot day, and seemed cooler than outside, although the lowest temperature the keepers could obtain was 89 degrees. The temperature is varied carefully in the growing season. ! The vine bears annually about 500 | bunches, which is less than it produced in early days. The quantity is kept down deliberately to improve the quality. The grapes themselves, although smaller than the big hothouse varieties, have a peculiarly sweet and fragrant flavour. A percentage of the proceeds goes to St. Dunstan's, the remainder being paid into the Treasury for the upkeep of the palace. Although the price is 6s a basket, there is said never to be any difficulty in disposing of them. The vine was planted in 1768 during the reign of George 111. It is the oldest vine in existence, and althouyi smaller than the Kippin Vine in Scotland, the girth of the stem, which is 6ft 9in at ground level, is nearly twice the size of any other. Originally the stem was outside the vinery in the open until the building of the present house. Leaves and bunches already cover the whole roof, and as there is no more space for its extension it is kept carefully pruned. The present vinekeeper, who has been in charge for 25 years, says it has never been in better health. Although this is not an exceptionally good year, the plant has borne well considering the season, and has reached its average standard.