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quantity, and not the quality, of the produce being the results sought 

 by the wine-grower within this privileged demarcation. 



One thousand vines generally produce a pipe of wine, and the 

 total number of vines in the Port- wine Districts above described 

 may be estimated at 90,000,000. 



In the summer time, there is great scarcity of water throughout 

 the district. The vineyards are for the most part situated on abrupt 

 mountain slopes, the vines being planted on terraces, which are not 

 appropriate for the cultivation of anything else. The vines are 

 grown not higher than three feet from the ground, and are planted 

 about six feet apart, supported with canes or stakes. The labour 

 in the vineyards is performed by the natives of Gallicia, who visit 

 the district three or four times a year in search of employment. 



In July 1850, I first observed a blight on three or four vines, at 

 a considerable distance from each other, in the Wine Districts. The 

 general appearance of this blight to the naked eye greatly resembled 

 that which appears on the peach-tree and the rose. The Douro 

 farmers had often previously noticed a similar po branco (white 

 powder) on the vines. 



In 1851 the season was favourable, and the vines (on which we 

 had observed the blight in the previous year) were vigorous, and 

 produced perfect fruit. The vintage of 1851, throughout the Alto- 

 Douro, was excellent. In 1852 there was much wet and cold ; the 

 blight again appeared, and the vines were attacked to the extent of 

 about one in fifteen hundred. The vintage of 1852 was of inferior 

 quality ; but no one ascribed the failure to any disease in the vine. 

 From the autumn of 1852 until midsummer 1853, continued rain, 

 sleet, hail, and bleak winds prevailed, and in 1853 there was no 

 spring. In March of the same year the navigation of the Douro 

 was impeded, and the bar rendered impassable on account of the 

 floods ; and in April and May of the same year, prayers were offered 

 up in the churches throughout the Wine Districts for fine weather. 



In March 1854, only half-cargoes could be brought down the 

 river Douro, on account of the want of water, and rain was prayed 

 for. 



Early in June 1853, the heat became suddenly intense, and the 

 vines had already burst forth with great vigour ; whilst, in the 

 middle of the same month, the nights became as cold as in winter. 



