beneficial effects in bilious fevers, dysentery, and inflammatory infections. 

 Raisins and currants are considered to be somewhat more laxative than 

 the fresh fruit. The unripe berries of Grapes contain free citric and 

 tartaric acid in abundance, which disappear as the fruit ripens. The 

 juice of unripe fruit, which is known as "verjuice," was at onetime 

 considered to be a good application for bruises. Formerly, the leaves 

 arid tendrils of the Grape Vine were used in cases of diarrhoea and 

 hemorrhage, or other complaints requiring astringent remedies. By- 

 ancient nations the sap of the Grape Vine, called " lachryma,,' was 

 considered to be an excellent remedy for weak eyes when applied 

 externally, and for the stone or gravel when used internally. 



The Grape. Vine was utilized by ancient nations in a variety of ways, 

 In addition to making wine, large quantities of the fruit w T ere eaten 

 fresh, or dried as raisins, and they formed a considerable item in the diet 

 of the people. The tendrils cut young were very popular with the 

 Romans as a pickle. From the Summer primings, or tendrils cut into 

 small pieces and bruised, with the addition of boiling water, an 

 intoxicating liquor was obtained by fermentation. It was also customary 

 to use the leaves in cooking for enveloping small balls of chopped meat, 

 a practice still followed to some extent in various parts of Europe in 

 roasting small birds. 



There is a wide field open to cultivators in the Australasian Colonies, 

 in the production of Grapes, and they can scarcely go wrong in entering 

 upon this industry. Whether the object of the grower be the production 

 of wine or the making of raisins and currants, he has a large and 

 expanding market open to him, as these products are not only required 

 in considerable quantities for our own use, but any surplus raised can 

 be profitably exported. The cultivation of the Grape Vine for wine is 

 likely to prove one of our staple agricultural industries, as the right 

 kind of produce will always be in great demand in the British market, 

 to which we must necessarily look to us the safety-valve against over- 

 production in carrying on our agricultural industries. Wine has an 

 advantage over some of our other farm products, as it is more valuable 

 in proportion to bulk, and is, therefore, better able to bear the transport 

 and other charges. Another advantage is that wine may be kept for 

 many years, if necessary, and therefore, need not be forced upon 

 stagnant or glutted markets. Some attention, during the last few years, 

 has been paid to the growing of Grapes for raisins and currants, and a 

 considerable area has been planted with kinds that are suitable. This 

 industry gives promise of expanding to large proportions, as the con- 

 sumption of both raisins and currants within the colony is considerable, 

 and after the home supply is met, there is nothing to prevent 

 Australian growers from finding a good market for any surplus they 

 may raise in the United Kingdom. 



CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE GRAPE MAY BE CULTIVATED. 



The Grape Vine may be grown with success in almost any soil and 

 situation, and no fruit is more cosmopolitan in its requirements. It will 



