26 



Grape Vine will grow freely in moderately cool localities, and may 

 even yield heavy crops, yet the fruit always possesses more acidity 

 than when grown in warmer regions, and consequently is less valuable 

 for wine. A moderately high temperature is not only more favourable 

 to the perfect ripening of the fruit, which is essential to the production 

 of good wines, but the strong heat also develops more saccharine matter, 

 which increases their strength. Within the tropics, however, except in 

 very elevated regions, the heat is generally too great for the successful 

 cultivation of the Grape Vine, as the juices are apt to ferment before the 

 berries are fully ripe. In Australasia the climatic conditions vary con- 

 siderably, and growers for wine must always bear this fact in mind 

 when they are planting. The character of wines are materially 

 influenced by climate, as also other local conditions, and planters must 

 select varieties that are likely to prove most suitable. In the warm 

 dry districts, where there is a strong light, and a great heat at the 

 ripening period, wines rich in alcohol can be obtained, which will be 

 similar to the Sherry and Port of Spain and Portugal. From the cooler 

 districts near the coast, or more elevated regions, light dinner wines 

 such as Claret, (Jhablis, and Hock can be produced in perfection. Then, 

 again, in intermediate climates, such as exist in many parts of the colony, 

 various clashes of wine can be produced. 



HARDINESS AND LONGEVITY. 



The Grape Vine is naturally a long-lived plant, and under favourable 

 conditions will attain a great age and size. Many instances are recorded 

 by ancient writers as to its great longevity. Pliny mentions a vine that 

 existed in his time, which was over 600 years old. Columella tells 

 us that Seneca possessed a large Grape Vine that produced over 

 2000 bunches of fruit in a year. Strabo describes a Grape Vine whose 

 stem was twelve feet in diameter. Theophrastus mentions a plant 

 that was so large that a statue of Jupiter and columns for Juno's 

 Temple were carved from it. At Kavenna in Italy, the doors of the 

 cathedral are said to be made of vine wood. The planks being twelve 

 feet long and fifteen inches wide. Coming to modern times, there are 

 numerous instances of Grape Vines attaining a great age and size. In 

 Italy, Spain, and Greece, well authenticated records exist of vineyards 

 lasting for more than 300 years, and then yielding good crops. The 

 celebrated Hampton Court Vine in England, which was planted in 

 1769, is still in a flourishing condition, covering about 2000 feet of 

 wall space, and producing over a ton of fruit annually. Another 

 English vine, growing in Essex, and planted in 1756, has attained a 

 still greater size. Both of these plants are of the variety known as the 

 Black Hamburgh. 



USES. 



Medicinally, ripe Grapes are considered to be cooling and antiseptic, 

 but laxative if taken in large quantities. They are considered to have 



