16 
describes the method of training the vine, 
adopted in the wine countries ;” by which 
expression (wine) I apprehend his ques- 
tion to extend to the process of making 
the wine, that precious liquor being 
naturally the object of the vine culture, 
As to the species of grapes formerly in 
use, I knew of no means by which such 
information can be obtained, since, not- 
withstanding our press is overladen with 
tracts on the subject of almost every ar- 
ticle of culture, it is remarkably short on 
that of the grape. Perhaps some light 
might be obtained from the compilations 
of Barnaby Goge, Gervase Markham, 
and others of their time; and since, from 
Bradley and Laureuce, and from the 
county histories of those districts _more 
peculiarly adapted by soil and climate to 
the vine culture. Speechley’s Culture of 
the Vine, is the only treatise of the pre- 
sent time, which has reached my know- 
ledge, and with his book [have yet pro- 
ceeded no farther than the utle-page, so 
cannot ascertain whether it will furnish 
the desired information, With respect 
to my own opinion, formed on proba- 
bility and some enquiry, the sors of 
grapes used in our vineyards of old in 
Gloucestershire, Kent, Surry, Essex, and 
other counties, were the white and black, 
now found among the middling and lower 
housekeepers of those parts; the same 
varieties, in all probability, which are 
also found in Yorkshire. | ot 2h BA 
The method of training the vine in 
the wine countries, l apprehend, is of 
little consequence to us, whose climate 
will not admit its adoption. In conse- 
quence, we may always find the necessity 
of adhering to our established plan, of 
confining the out-door culture to our 
buildings, unless indeed it might be ex- 
tended by the mode of sheltered espaliers, 
ef which I purpose to make experiment. 
Mr. Gibbs, seedsman to the Board of 
Agriculture, I observed, several years 
since, had some vines at Brompton, 
trained to stakes; but as I have not seen 
them of late, I conclude, although T am 
not certain, that they did not succeed. 
However, granting the shelter of a wall 
js absolutely necessary to the vine in this 
country, there are very many inhabitants 
ef both town and country, so well pro- 
vided in that respect, as to be able to 
raise grapes enough to furnish their own 
table with wine. In the metropolis even, 
where, in some parts grapes both black 
and white, succeed well, what an immen- 
sity migt be grown! But the object is 
Employment for Imprisoned Debtors. 
[Feb. t, ) 
to make the wine, after #e have provided 
the grapes: thatis to say, real wine, and 
not that wretched sugared and baby- 
slipslop, which passes muster under the 
denomination of home-made wine; and 
which, were it capable of making an 
Anacreon drunk, it would be rather with 
eructation than inspiration. Colonel 
Thornton’s late Tour in France, and the 
Histories of the Cape of Good Hope, I 
think, give some account both of training 
the vine, in those parts, and the process 
of wine-making. The chief difference, 
as I understand, between their wines 
manufacture and ours, and one reason 
of their high superiority, is the total ab- 
sence of water in their process, their 
wine being the pure fermented juice of 
the grape, with little or no additional 
ingredient but brandy; and in the red 
wines of Portugal, a certain roeet, botla 
for strength and colour sake. 
The pure grape-juice of this country, 
however, it is said on experience, will 
make nothing but vinegar, it turning 
sour in a very short time; in course, that 
our wine-makers are compelled to the 
common process of boiling, and using 
water and sugar, This arises, we may 
suppose, from the inferior quality of our 
grapes, which should yet be a motive to 
us not to lower that quality still farther 
by the addition of water; and I have 
this year made the experiment, pro- 
viding, As far as my small skill will ad- 
mit, to counteract that acidity which I 
really found to result, as I had been pre- 
viously informed. Any farther infor 
mation on this, or other subjects, in m¥ 
power to communicate, shali always be 
most heartily at the service of the 
Monthly Magazine. 
Middieser, Dec. 16. is 
a ¢ 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIRy 
IGHT not debtors, and those who 
are put in prison, but not to be © 
hung, as in America, be made to work 
to support themselves? Might not much 
useful labour, in this way; be performed 
in the Fleet, the King’s Bench, and other 
prisons in England, aswell as Scotland 
and Ireland. Besides he!ping to support 
themselves, and forming a fund, on their 
release from prison, would not this keep 
many of them from idle pernicious 
habits, often the chief cause of their 
becoming prisoners at all, The making 
a prisoner work, and live soberly, would 
naturally tend to reform him from lux- 
urious 
N 
