THE VINE. . 257 



try, which cannot be properly performed in the warm 

 months. 



About eight thousand tons of raisins, or dried 

 grapes, are annually imported into England, at a 

 duty of about 160,000. A considerable quantity 

 of undried grapes are also imported, principally from 

 Portugal, in jars, among saw-dust. The value of 

 those so imported is about 10,000. The currants 

 of commerce, which are so extensively used in Eng- 

 land, and of which about six thousand tons are an- 

 nually imported into this country, are small dried 

 grapes, principally grown in the Ionian islands. 



Laborde, in his account of Spain, gives the fol- 

 lowing description of the mode of drying raisins: 

 " In the kingdom of Valencia they make a kind of 

 ley with ,,the ashes of rosemary and vine branches, 

 to which they add a quart of slacked lime. This ley is 

 heated, and a vessel, full of holes, containing the 

 grapes, is put into it. When the bunches are in the 

 state desired, they are generally carried to naked 

 rocks, where they are spread on beds of the field 

 artemisia, and are turned every two or three days till 

 they are dry. In the kingdom of Granada, particu- 

 larly towards Malaga, they are simply dried in the 

 sun, without any other preparation. The former 

 have a more pleasing rind, but a less mellow sub- 

 stance ; the skins of the latter are not so sugary, but 

 their substance has a much greater relish; therefore, 

 the raisins of Malaga are preferred by foreigners, 

 and are sold at a higher price : to this their quality 

 may likewise contribute ; they are naturally larger, 

 and more delicate, than those of the kingdom of 

 Valencia." 



A vineyard, associated as it is with all our ideas of 

 beauty and plenty, is, in general, a disappointing 

 object. The hop plantations of our own country 

 are far more picturesque. In France, the vines are 



