GKA.PE. , 296 



of. the Hampton Court Vine measures one hundred and 

 fourteen feet in length. Vine timber ia of great dura- 

 bility. 



The varieties of the Grape in countries where it is grown 

 for the wine press, are as numerous as the vineyards ; for as 

 these tor the most part differ in soil, aspect, elevation, or 

 otherwise,, and as the Vine is greatly the child of local 

 circumstances, its habits soon become adapted to those in 

 which it is placed. When it is considered, that a vineyard 

 once planted will last two or three centuries, it will readily 

 be conceived that the nature of a variety may be to- 

 tally changed during only a part of that time. The 

 varieties mostly in esteem for wine making, are small 

 berries, and bunches with an austere taste.. The Bur. 

 gundy, as modified by different soils and situations, 

 may be considered the most general, vineyard Grape of 

 France, from Champagne or Marne > to Marseilles or 

 Bordeaux. 



The best wine in Italy and Spain is also made from 

 Grapes of this description; but in both countries many of the 

 larger berried sorts are grown on account of their pro- 

 ducing more liquor. The sweet wines, as the Malmsey,. 

 Maderia, Constantia, Tokay, &c. are made from sweet- 

 berried grapes allowed to remain on the plants till over 

 ripe. That wine is the strongest, and has most flavour, 

 in which both the skins and stones are bruised and 

 fermented. The same thing is the case in making cider ; 

 but in both, processes bruising the stones or kernels is 

 often neglected. The vine was formerly extensively cul- 

 tivated in Britain for the wine press, but its culture is now 

 confined to the garden as a dessert fruit ; and they have in, 

 that country not only the best varieties, but they grow the 

 fruit to a larger size, and of a higher flavour, thau is 

 done any where else in the world : this is owing to the 

 perfection of their artificial climates, and the great atten- 

 tion paid to soil and sub-soil, and other points of culture, 

 The fruit is produced in some vineries during every, 

 month in the year ; and in the London markets (generally). 



