FERMENTED LIQUORS. 



In order to determine upon the mode of culture, the 

 question must first be ascertained whether it be grapes of 

 the finest quality or in greatest quantity that are required. 

 In hot countries, the former are most in demand ; in cold 

 countries, the latter is principally aimed at: for in districts 

 which form the limits of the cultivation of the vine, it is 

 desirable to produce a large quantity of wine, though it 

 be of inferior quality, for the beverage of the common 

 people, who cannot afford to pay the conveyance of wines 

 from more favorable climates. 



An argillaceous soil produces but indifferent grapes, 

 even in a favorable climate. Under such circumstances, 

 therefore, quantity rather than quality is aimed at, in or- 

 der to obtain spririt for brandy ; for in wine countries 

 brandy is distilled from wine rather than from grain. For 

 this purpose, the plants, instead of being kept low, as 

 you have seen in France and Switzerland, are allowed to 

 grow to a great length, and are suspended in garlands 

 from one tree to another. 



Caroline. This mode of cultivation is adopted in Italy 

 for the production of grapes for wine, and is most beauti- 

 ful in appearance. 



Mrs. B. But the fruit is not of so fine a quality and, 

 consequently, the wine is not so good. In the south of 

 France, as well as in Italy, vines are often cultivated with- 

 out being propped, and the branches are suffered to grow 

 six or eight feet in length. 



During the wars of the Revolution, the French having 

 destroyed all the props of the vineyards in the valley of 

 the Rake on the banks of the Rhine, the peasantry were 

 obliged to let the vines grow without support ; when, in- 

 stead of being deteriorated, they found th'e fruit so much 

 improved, that they have ever since continued the same 

 system. 



Emily. Then I conclude that they did not allow their 

 vines to shoot out to a great extent. 



Mrs. B. No doubt ; or the fruit would have been im- 

 poverished, instead of being improved. The use of props 

 in vineyards is, perhaps, carried to the extreme. M. De 



1802. What question must first be settled in order to determine the 

 mode of culture 1 1803. What is said of the argillaceous soil'? 1804. 



rth of 

 Ital 

 1806. And of the growth of the vine during" the French Revolution! 



When grapes are raised for brandy how may be regulated the length of 

 the vine? 1805. What is said of propping vines in France and Italy t 



