STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 71 



the advantage or harm of alcohol to the animal economy. I do wish 

 to speak briefly about some interesting facts connected with its manu- 

 facture, since our knowledge upon the process of fermentation 

 has within the past few years undergone a great transformation. 

 First, a few remarks in general. Wine grapes are not regarded as 

 best for table use, not possessing the requisite fineness, sweetness 

 or flavor. As to the value of a particular grape crop for wine, much 

 depends upon climate. A summer whose mean temperature is below 

 67° will not produce, a valuable wine. A season unusually stormy 

 or devoid of sunlight affects decidedly the flavor by decreasing the 

 production of the sugary elements. The effect of temperature upon 

 the quantity and quality of the wine product is also marked The 

 cold, inclement seasons of 1833 and 1837 in France produced wines 

 scarcely drinkable. 



In preparing the juice for the fermentation process, the fruit is 

 subjected to the ordinary crushing and expressing methods. The 

 residue left after the pressing is used to make a thin second wine, 

 but in some districts ot Southern France, previous to being thus 

 used, it is utilized to administer vapor baths by the halt, lame and 

 variously diseased peasantry of the surrounding villages. The 

 pulp, carried to cellars, is laid up in heaps till it becomes hot through 

 fermentation, a hole is then made into the mass, and the patient 

 either gets in all over, or inserts the offending limb, if the applica- 

 tion be onl}' local. It is necessary to undergo this steam soaking 

 process in a place well provided with ventilation, otherwise the alco- 

 holic and carbonic vapor would cause headache, intoxication, and 

 even syncope and suffocation. It is supposed that this operation 

 acts like an ordinary steam bath, except that the alcoholic vapor is 

 more penetrating. It is easy to see some grounds for the claim>j of 

 success which are made for it in the treatment of old rheumatism, 

 sciatica, and indolent tumors. The vintage is impatiently awaited 

 by those who have chr-onic maladies, and they go up, a long pro- 

 cession of debilitated, abbreviated, and otherwise impaired humanity, 

 as pilgrims toward some ancient ahrine. I do not know if apple 

 pulp has ever attained such a curative reputation. For comfort and 

 peace of mind and stomach, let us hope that in New England more 

 modern methods may for a time longer continue to prevail. 



The sap of the vine after fermenting is said to possess the power 

 to remove natural spots and stains from the skin, to cure chilblains, 

 and to rapidly remove the effects of intoxication. This latter claim 



