274 On the Cultivation and 



same tree, either for the sake of variety, or, for what is much 

 more valuable, an extended vintage. The acclimatizing, or 

 enuring superior sorts to our seasons, is a desideratum among 

 horticulturists at this time ; and there cannot be a more laud- 

 able object. 



That the climate of this country has undergone a consider- 

 able change within the last hundred years, is allowed by all 

 who have considered the subject ; and nothing furnishes a more 

 convincing proof of this, than the history of the vine. Pre- 

 vious to the reign of Henry VIIL, every abbey and monastery 

 had its vineyard. In the rent-rolls of church property in those 

 days, and long afterwards, considerable quantities of grapes 

 were paid as tithe ; and the vestiges of some of those vine- 

 yards remain to this day. They were usually placed on the 

 south side of a hill, in a light dry soil, having the surface 

 covered with sand ; the vines being trained near the ground. 

 But with such inclement and changeable springs, and long 

 protracted winters, as have been experienced of late, even such 

 frost as is seen at the moment I am writing (24th April), vines 

 as standards m the open air, would be destroyed ; or, at least, 

 no dependence could be placed upon them for a crop. But 

 vineyards in the country could neither be so profitable, nor are 

 they so necessary as they were in those days ; international 

 intercourse is now more open, and corporations, whether reli- 

 gious or civil, can be supplied with grapes in any shape, and 

 their precious juice in any quantity, at a cheaper rate than 

 either home-grown or home-made. In their cultivation in 

 this country, practitioners are more liable to err in planting 

 them in too rich, than in too poor a soil ; the first adds too 

 much to their natural luxuriance of growth, and always reduces 

 the flavour of the fruit. 



Of the Mulberry. — ^This fruit has not been subjected to 

 the operations and attention of the improver so much, per- 

 haps, as it deserves ; true, it has been planted against walls, 

 and as espaliers ; and in both places has done well. It may 

 also be grafted, &c. ; and whether, by the knowledge and means 

 of improvement which we now possess, any further meliora- 

 tion can be made, is yet to be seen. 



Of the Orange, — ^This endless family of fruits it is pro- 



