134 ExlraSiion of Qpium from Gar Jen Lettuce. 



have not acquired perfed maturity. This is what is pra(^:ifed 

 ill Champagne and other places. 



In fome countries where the grapes never come to abfokite 

 maturity, and coniequently cannot develop that portion of 

 faccharine principle ncceflary for the formation of alcohol, 

 the cultivators proceed to the vintage before the appearance 

 of the hoar-frolls; becaufe the grapes Hill poilefs a fliarp 

 principle, which gives a peculiar quality to the wine. It is 

 obferved in all thole places, that a degree more towards ma- 

 turity produces wines of very inferior quality. 



7. When the grapes are cut they ought to be put into 

 balkets ; taking care not to employ any of too large a fizc, 

 left the juice (liould be loft by the fuperincumbent weight. 

 As it is very difficult, however, to tranfport the grapes from 

 the vineyard to the vat without altering them by prelTure, 

 and confequently without exprefling more or lefs of the juice, 

 balkets ought not to be employed but to receive the grapes 

 as they are cut; and when full they ought to be emptied into 

 boxes or fcuttles, that they may be more conveniently con- 

 veyed to the vat. They ought to be carried in carts, or on 

 the backs of men, or of mules : which of thefe three means 

 arc to be -employed muft be determined by local circum- 

 llanecs. Carts are, no doubt,1efs expenfive, though attended 

 with this inconvenience, that the grapes may be injured by 

 the repeated lliocks they experience: the motion of a ho rfe 

 is gentler, as well as more regular. Scuttles are employed 

 in all countries where the grapes are not very ripe, and where 

 there is little danger of their being injured by the carriage. 

 [To be continued.] 



XV. On the llxtradion of Opium from Garden Let luce. 



UK plant which has hitherto been cultivated for the 

 pr()du(!:tion of o[)ium is the papaver fomrnferu7u, .or white 

 pop/>v, in the clafs of polyandria, and order monogynia, of 

 i.hiuiciis. It is an annual plant, from the heads or capfules 

 of which thii drug is obtained in Perfia, Arabia, and other 



warm 



