.NOMENCLATURE OP GRAPES, 67 



we find ninety-one varieties exactly described by name, and 

 partial details touching a number of others. 



In the catalogue published by the London Horticultural 

 Society, they enumerate one hundred and fifty-nine varieties 

 or different names, principally those known in British col- 

 lections, and not including the French wine grapes to any 

 extent ; they mention in addition eight varieties of American 

 grapes. That society has as yet favoured us with no descrip- 

 tive catalogue of their several merits, or with a final arrange- 

 ment of their synonymes. 



On this, therefore, as on numerous other subjects, we must 

 turn to France for a more perfect knowledge of its details. 

 There we find that many years since, the wisest maxims which 

 time and experience had approved, were consolidated in the 

 works of the celebrated Rozier, on the culture of the vine and 

 the art of making wine. The labours of Dussieux and Lata- 

 pie aided to render the knowledge of the subject more com- 

 plete, and each contributed his portion to the perfection of 

 that culture which has enriched for centuries the domains of 

 France. 



Much, however, as Rozier and Latapie had laboured for 

 the attainment of a perfect knowledge of the different varie- 

 ties of the grape, it was destined for the celebrated Chaptal, 

 minister of the interior, to form a collection, by the aid of the 

 French government, which should rival all others. This 

 famed chemist, during the consulship in 1801, obtained from 

 every district of France all the known varieties, which were 

 by his order concentrated in the Luxembourg garden, the 

 object being to assemble the various kinds in one spot, in order 

 to ascertain their qualities undei the same circumstances, and 

 to compare them at the same time. This labour, so arduous 

 and so interesting, was continued by M. Champagny, his suc- 

 cessor, aided by members of the Institute, who examined some 

 thousands of plants, and described five hundred and fifty vari- 

 eties, one hundred of which were figured by Redoute. From 

 accurate observation of this immense variety of vines, the fol- 

 lowing conclusions have been definitely formed : 



