» HISTORY OF THE GRAPE VINE. 



the cultivation of this plant extends to the north. Arthur 

 Young says, that, in France, the difference is 2° of heat in 

 the same parallel. In the United States of America, the 

 difference of climate is also found, but operating in a reversed 

 manner. In the same latitude, as we go west, is found a 

 milder climate, particularly after passing the Alleghanies, 

 and, on the Pacific, it is yet more mild. At Fort Vancouver, 

 which is five degrees north of New York, the temperature is 

 so mild that, in whiter, the mercury falls but a few times be- 

 low freezing. 



" Grape Vine. Vitis. 



" The generic name is derived from vincire, to bind. Ev- 

 ery part of the Scriptures mentions the \ine as being held in 

 the highest estimation. Noah planted vineyards and made 

 wine. They are mentioned among the blessings of the prom- 

 ised land, ' a land of wheat, and barley, and vines,' etc. 



" At what exact period the vine Avas first cultivated in 

 England, is uncertain ; but we conclude it was as early as 

 about the tenth year, A. D., as, at that time, the Romans 

 had possession of a great part of this island, and had intro- 

 duced the luxuries of Italy Avherever they settled. Many 

 authors are of opinion that it was not introduced into this 

 country until about the year 280. 



" That we are indebted to the Romans for the first intro- 

 duction of the vine is generally allowed, although it is pos- 

 sible it might have been introduced at a much earlier period 

 than we have stated, as the Phoenicians are said to have 

 planted the vine in the isles of the Mediterranean Sea, as 

 well as in several parts of ^Europe and Africa ; and as we 

 have accounts of their trading to Britain, for tin, they might 

 have planted it on the English coast also. But tliis must 

 remain a matter of conjecture any farther than as it confirms 

 the vine to have been originally brought from Palestine. In 

 the Book of Numbers, we find that the men, whom Moses had 

 sent to spy the land of Canaan, returned mth a bunch of 

 grapes which they bare between two, upon a staff. 



