178 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



to the one reported on above of the same year, but was probably so much disturbed by 

 transportation, etc., as to prevent a fair estimate of its quality. Hence it does not ap- 

 pear in the above list. 



The communication of Mr. Englemann, which accompanied his contribution of wines, 

 is appended to this report. 



The sample of Currant Wine, contributed by J. A. Pettingill, of Bunker Hill, was of 

 good quality. 



Two samples of Cider, shown by Mr. A. Hilliard in 1865 and 1868. The former was 



not much esteemed ; while the latter was found to be a good sound cider, creditable to 



the maker. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



C. W. SPALDING, Chairman. 

 JNO. M. PEARSON, 

 B. D. WALSH. 



Remarks on the samples of wine exhibited by Theo. Engelmann, and sxibmitted to the judg- 

 ment of the Committee on Wines, as well as to the members of tlie Society, generally. 



Norton. — Vintage, 1865 ; made Sept. 23 ; quantity obtained, 60 gallons. The grapes 

 were sweet and ripe. The berries were separated from the stems, mashed, and the pom- 

 ace left in the fermenting tub until the last days of October ; then the juice was pressed 

 off from the skins and seeds. The wine was adjudged very good, and has rather lost 

 than gained in quality by age. 



Norton. — Vintage, 1866; time of harvesting, Oct. 4 ; quantity obtained, 80 gallons. 

 The branches were mashed as they came in from the vineyard, the stems were not sepa- 

 rated ; all, juice, seeds, skins, and stems, well mashed, were put in the fermenting tubs, 

 and submitted to fomentation for ten days ; and then the must was pressed off. The 

 weather during that time was pleasant, the nights rather cool, and the. fermentation pro- 

 gressed slowly but regularly. 



Norton. — Vintage, 1867 ; commenced Sept. 24 ; quantity obtained, 650 gallons. Vines 

 loaded with splendid fruit. The berries were not separated from the stems ; the juice 

 was left to ferment with seeds, skins and stems. The season was very warm, and fer- 

 mentation commenced immediately and violently ; for fear that the stems and skins 

 would communicate to the wine too much of their tannin and acidity, the juice was 

 pressed off at the expiration of four days. 



The Norton has always been healthy in my vineyard, and has produced frnit every year 

 since the vines commenced bearing. The yield in quantity of wine is very changeable 

 and uncertain ; the average below that of any other grape. The wine is in my estima- 

 tion, a superior article, but more so as a medicine than as a beverage. 



Catawba. — Vintage, 1866 ; commenced Oct. 8 ; quantity of wine obtained, 3200 gal- 

 lons. The vines were well loaded with fruit, but had lost their leaves, and the process 

 of ripening had progressed slowly and unevenly. At the commencement of the vintage, 

 the must of the carefully selected grapes, showed on Oechsles' scales, only 72°, equal to 

 about 15 per cent, of saccharine matter ; but while under the rays of a dry and warm 

 October sun, the juice of the grapes diminished in quantity it gained in quality, 

 and the scales showed on the 20th of Oct., 88°, equal to about 20 per cent, of sugar in 

 the must. 



Catawba. — Vintage, 1867 ; commenced Oct. 8 ; quantity obtained, select quality, 1460, 



