10 HISTOEY OF THE GRAPE VINE. 



" Plinj states that the vines in Italy would climb to the 

 very top and even out-top the highest poplars ; on which ac- 

 count the grape-gatherers, in time of vintage, put a clause in 

 the covenant of their bargains when they were hired, that, 

 in case their foot should slip and their necks be broken, their 

 masters should give orders for their funeral fire and tomb at 

 their own expense. 



" Ancient naturalists and modern travellers agree in their 

 accounts of the long life and immense size to which the vine 

 attains in its wild state. Statues have been carved from its 

 wood, pillars have been made from it, and the large doors of 

 the cathedral of Ravenna are also made from this wood. 

 Large tables have been made of a single plank. Pliny gives 

 an account of a vine six hundred years old." — Chaptal, 

 p. 142. 



" Miller says, of the vines in Italy, that, in some parts of 

 that country, a vine is considered young at one hundred 

 years, and that there are plants in existence which have 

 been cultivated three hundred years." — Chaptal. 



" The Burgundy wine has been celebrated for its superior 

 quality certainly as far back as the 13th century. The kings 

 of France have interested themselves in the planting of \anes 

 in their domains. There is proof that Charlemagne had at- 

 tached, to the palaces which he inhabited, vineyards, and the 

 necessary instruments for making wine ; and there you might 

 behold the sovereign enter upon the details of the manage- 

 ment Avith the overseer. 



" The garden of the Louvre, as of the other royal houses, 

 has contained vines since the year 1160. Louis the young 

 allowed annually, from their produce, six hogsheads of wine 

 to the rector of St. Nicholas. 



" Philippe Augustus, as shown by the account of the 

 revenues for the year 1200, reported by Bussel, possessed 

 vineyards in Bourges, Soisons, Compeigne, Laon, Beauvais, 

 Auxerne, Corbeil, Betise, Orleans, Moret, Poissi, Gien, Anet, 

 Charlevane, Verberries, Fontainebleau, Rurecour, Mili, and 

 several other parts of France." — Cliaptal. 



