GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 483 



experience gathered by the observant and laborious vine-dressers of German- 

 land. 



Among otber points worthy of attention, let ns not fail to remark that the 

 selection of varieties of the vine is always made with special reference to the 

 locality. Those that will bear a lower degree of heat and ripen are selected 

 for the more northern latitudes and exposures-; and as we progress towards 

 the south, towards warmer summers and longer continued heats of early au- 

 tumn, more tender varieties are grown. We have said that the Klcine Ixiess- 

 ling is cultivated on the Rhine, and that from this the finest wines are made. 

 There are other varieties in this section of nearly equal merit, as the Traminer 

 ( VH'is vinifera Tyrolcnsis) and the Elbling grape, ( Vitis vm'ifera alhuelis ; ) 

 the white Traminer, called Franken, by some Gutedel, (Vitis vinifera ami- 

 nea ;) and, finally, the Hermitage, brought from France. Vineyards planted 

 with the first two varieties are general!}^ superior to those which contain the 

 Guetdel and Elbling. Rulfender, Black CliBvner, and Sylvaner are grown 

 either in inferior localities or for their early ripening and productiveness. 



In the Burgundy district, on the Cote d'or, or Golden Hills, which extend 

 upwards of eighty miles from N. NE. to S. SW., and are about 200 to 300 

 feet high, the variety of grape gi'own is the "Fineau," small and black, Avith a 

 small bunch and a light product per vine, and from 8 to 12 barrels per acre. 

 They also grow the "Gamai" grape, which much resembles the "Fineau," but 

 the bunches and berries are larger and the product three times as much as that 

 of the "Fineau," but a much inferior wine. 



The wines of the Medoc, the clarets of St. Julien, Margaux, Lafitte, &c., 

 are made from the grape called "Cabernet" principally. 



The sweet wines from the south of France termed Frontignac, Lunel, and 

 Riversaltes, are from the muscat grape, which on the Rhine will ripen only 

 just suflicieutly to furnish a grape for the dessert. Further south in France, 

 as we approach the shores of the Mediterranean, we find the vine flourishing 

 and displaying its choicest fruits under circumstances which it would not en- 

 dure in the departments of the north. Instead of a methodical arrangement 

 of stakes and the close-cut appearance of a plantation of hops on poles short- 

 ened to half their usual height, which the vineyards of the north most nearly 

 resemble, we find in the south the long branches of the vine ranging over the 

 dusky green olive trees, or on high espaliers, or intertwining its shoots with 

 the almond or the elm. . 



The wines of Spain and Italy possess qualities derived from the increased 

 heat of their more southern latitude. In Spain the "Pedro Ximenes" is the 

 most commonly esteemed. The wines of Spain are mostly rich and sweet, at 

 least those preferred by the people, such as JMalaga and Alicant ; while they 

 export those which contain more alcohol to foreign consumers. Among the 

 the latter is Sherry, which is made in Andalusia, near Cadiz, on the west coast 

 of Spain, on the hot and chalky hillsides of this district. 



Finally, the principal wine grown near Naples is the "Lacrimse Christi," a 

 luscious wine which holds a place in the foremost rank of the first class pro- 

 duced by any country ; and truly can we indorse the opinion, if a judgment 

 formed by thirsty climbers up the jagged cinders of the cone of Vesuvius, 

 upon whose summit we have imbibed draughts of this peerless vintage grown 

 on the warm volcanic ashes of the mountain side, can be deemed sufficiently 

 disinterested. 



We have seen from the foregoing notices of the popular varieties of Euro- 

 pean wine grapes, that certain kinds are adapted to certain districts of tho 

 wine climate or zone in Europe, where Riessling, Traminer and Ruloeuder, 

 Fineau and Gamai, Cabernet, &c., may be the representatives of our Delaware, 

 'Diana, Clinton, Concord, our Norton's Virginia, and Catawba, and many others, 

 each of which finds its appropriate location in a district whose warmest month 



