2.5 



According to history vineyards were at one time common in England, 

 and the Grape is supposed to have been introduced to that country at 

 the time of the Roman invasion. Vineyards are frequently mentioned 

 in early Saxon charters, and also in the Domesday Book. William of 

 Malmsbury, who lived at the beginning of the twelfth century, described 

 flourishing vineyards as existing in Gloucestershire, and states that the 

 wine made from them was equal to that which was obtained from 

 France. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries many of the castles 

 and monasteries in the southern and western counties of England appear 

 to have had their vineyards. If these historical records are to be 

 credited, the climate of England must have changed materially, or the 

 Grape Vine has become more tender than it was, as in that country it is 

 at the present time a very uncertain plant when grown in the open air 

 without protection. Under cover, however, Grapes are grown to a 

 greater degree of perfection in the United Kingdom than in any other 

 part of the world. Within the last few years bunches up to 26 Ibs. in 

 weight have been produced under glass, and 10 to 15 Ibs. is quite a 

 common weight. 



GRAPE CULTURE AS A PROMINENT INDUSTRY. 



Among the many useful fruits none is more universally cultivated 

 or holds a higher rank, from a commercial point of view, than the Grape. 

 It is cultivated extensively in every division of the globe, and in many 

 countries vine-growing is a staple agricultural industry. The cultivation 

 of the Grape became a staple agricultural industry in France, Spain, and 

 Portugal at remote periods, and ever since those countries have been in 

 high repute for their wines. In those countries at the present day, 

 and also in Italy and Greece, vine-growing is a prominent industry, and 

 in many cases localities are turned to good account for vineyards which 

 are comparatively useless for other purposes. In those countries 

 vineyards are frequently to be seen on the steep sides of mountains, 

 where it would be impossible to cultivate grain or any other ordinary 

 crops. Throughout a considerable portion of Germany, the vine-growing 

 industry occupies a prominent position, as it does also in Hungary and 

 Switzerland. Vine-growing is also receiving a considerable amount of 

 attention in the United States, and more especially in California where 

 the production of wine and the manufacture of raisins and currants has 

 assumed large proportions. Great advances in Vine culture has also 

 been made in the Australian colonies, and more especially within the 

 last few years, and the annual yield of wine is now very considerable. 

 There is every promise that it will be much greater a few years hence, 

 and one of our staple agricultural industries. 



The Grape is sucessfully cultivated for wine-making in European 

 countries up to the 51st degree of latitude. In the Southern Hemisphere 

 the limit is about the 40th degree. As regards altitude the highest 

 point at which the Grape is successfully cultivated is about 3000 feet 

 above the sea-level in Spain. At Teneriffe the limit of successful 

 cultivation is 2500, and on the Alps about 2000 feet. Though the 



