302 Tfte Tine in t?ie Orient. 



excellent state of the vines and grapes now, seem to be ignorant of this insect, so 

 abundant with them year before last. They speak of " winter's damage," etc., 

 without reference to this as a cause. 



This season answers the inquiry of our European correspondent, " Does the Phyllox- 

 era injure vines every year in America ? " This season says no ! Only in excep- 

 tional years, and, so far, at periods of eight to twelve years; then it comes as a thief 

 in the night, and ordinary American citizens fail to detect it, it is so small and 

 obscure. Please report who can find this year, this insect. 



S. J. Parker, M. D. 

 ♦♦ 



The Vine in the Orient. 



THE sacred record does not state positively that grapes grew to perfection in the 

 garden of Eden ; but there is very strong extrinsic evidence that such must have 

 been the case. The soil and the climate were admirably adapted to the growth of 

 the vine ; and profane history declares that from the delightful regions along the 

 sunny banks of the Euphrates and Tigris men went forth in various directions to 

 people the earth, carrying with them religion, civilization and a knowledge of the 

 arts and agriculture. Prominent among these arts was that of making wine ; and dear 

 to those ancient worthies was the custom of using the fruit of the vine as a wholesome 

 beverage, and rendering thanks for it as a divine gift. True, that good man Noah 

 was a little indiscreet on a memorable occasion ; and his successor, the righteous 

 Lot, betrayed a similar weakness. But those were exceptional abuses of a bounteous 

 gift that was designed to cheer and comfort, as may be fairly deduced from the 

 inspired utterance, '' He sendeth wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and bread 

 which strengtheneth man's heart." Bread to strengthen, and wine to gladden ! 

 Strength without gladness would be a mere possession without the power to enjoy it. 

 But what were the methods of cultivating the vine and the modes of manufactur- 

 ing the gladdening beverage in those earliest ages is all left in obscurity. Not until 

 about the time of the Greek Homer did any one appear to record these modes and 

 methods in due form for the information and gratification of subsequent generations. 

 At that time the Grecian peninsula, with numerous islands sprinkled over the ^Egean 

 sea, and portions of the Asiatic mainland were already inhabited by a highly culti- 

 vated and practical people, whose science, art, manners and customs were embalmed 

 in the unrivalled epics, the exquisite lyrics, the exciting dramas, and the graver 

 histories embraced in their literature which has been preserved and may be read and 

 known by all men. If these merry and enthusiastic admirers of Bacchus are to be 

 trusted, and the busy American of the nineteenth century has the leisure to peruse 

 their testimony he will find, among other things, that : Great care was exercised in 

 selecting the ground for a vineyard ; that the soil might be of the most desirable 

 quality ; that the exposure might be faultless ; that the tender vine might be pro- 

 tected by nature against the ravages of the most dangerous and destructive winds 

 and storms ; that an unfailing supply of water might be near to defeat the disastrous 

 consequences of a possible drought; and that all the rules suggested by science and 

 deduced from experience might be so carefully followed that the temperate and 

 frugal proprietor could confidently rely upon his vineyard as a sure source of comfort 



