82 CULTIVATION OP THE 



between the rows of the vineyard as in Italy, 

 where the Italian husbandman cultivates his crops 

 of grass and grain, greatly, as I think, to the pre- 

 judice of the vineyard. The vines are planted 

 in a line of cultivated ground, the breadth of 

 which is about three feet, showing a careful dig- 

 ging, which keeps it soft and mellow, and gene- 

 rally free of weeds. On the same plain is the 

 Duchy of Parma, exhibiting a similar cultivation 

 and production, in which little peculiarity is 

 found. 



In the Duchy of Modena, the state adjoining 

 to Parma, where the soil and cultivation are the 

 same, there is little variety as to the fruit culti- 

 vated. 



The Malvoisie, a delicate fruit, is found at 

 Modena in great perfection ; and to those seeing 

 it for the first time, presents a striking peculiarity. 

 "The bunch is large, weighing from one and a 

 ,half to two pounds. 



The fruit is so small that it does not exceed 

 the size of the elder berry, and without seed. 

 On each bunch may be found some half dozen 

 grapes, as large as the native black cherry of 

 Pennsylvania, having the usual number of seeds, 

 a peculiarity, as I observed, of the Malvoisie. 

 The grapes possess a luscious sacharine flavour, 

 affording a delicious wine, in great estimation 

 among the Italian ladies, and bought with eager- 

 ness by Courts and Kings. 



The situation of Parma and Modena, is at 

 variance with the Swiss doctrine, that the incli- 

 nation of a hill is essential to the prosperity of 

 the^ vine. In fact, it is not so in a country 



