292 On the Utility of making Family IVines 



as well as for more common use, it has salutary properties, 

 which render it more valuable ihan the public are generally 

 aware of. The black currant tree is known to be hardy, 

 and in our climate an abundant bearer, by the common 

 mode of garden propagation. But it is well worthy of trial, 

 whether it may not be trained against the walls of the gar- 

 den, and the sunny sides of house? and cottages, with still 

 greater success. From the best accounts I can get, this 

 seems highly probable ; and if so, such abundant propaga- 

 tion may be at once easy, and largely beneficial for our pur- 

 pose. That such has not been the general practice, is no 

 good reason why, under strong recommendation, it should 

 not become so ; and recommendation of useful things, in 

 all the departments of culture, is certainly one of the proper 

 provinces of this comprehensive society. The best mode of 

 making such wine may be more commonly known than 

 practised j and at any rate it is as easy as any similar pro- 

 cess. I therefore feel much confidence of utility from our 

 Tecommending this domestic object. Another fruit presents 

 itself to our notice, which, in all countries famed for its 

 wines, is of proverbial excellence, i. e. the grape. I am 

 aware that it is a common opinion that our climate is in ge- 

 neral too cold and precarious for the full ripening of the 

 grape; and that vineyards, which in various places have 

 been attempted, have not succeeded so as to answer the cost 

 and labour of vintage. I am persuaded that itw are the 

 situations in this island where success may be expected in 

 open-field culture. That object, therefore, I cannot think 

 of recommending. But experience, and some considerable 

 observation, have convinced me that much greater success 

 may be expected than many persons arc anarc of, in culti- 

 vating the vine in our warmest districts against the southern 

 walls of numerous farm-!jouses, country cottages, and even 

 in the small gardens of many towns and cities, where the 

 soil is light and favourable, and that v.'ith very easy atten- 

 tion. In cold lands and bleak exposures it would be a fruit- 

 less attempt, and common reflection would point out the 

 absurdity. But in some parts of the county of Essex, though 

 less favourable to its success than in other spots of our 



island, 



