USES OP SWEET GRAPES. 329 



easily approximates, being so nearly allied by natural affinity. 

 The next purpose for which they are highly estimated is that 

 of a delicious and salutary table fruit, eaten in a fresh state 

 as plucked from the vines ; after which follows their preserva- 

 tion in a fresh state for the same purpose. 



The art of preserving grapes was well known to the Ro 

 mans, and Columella gives a particular account of the man- 

 ner in which they were preserved, both in his time and in that 

 of his uncle Marcus Columella. He recommends that they 

 be put in small jars capable only of containing one bunch, 

 and states that the fruit should be gathered quite dry at a 

 time when the sun is on it, and that after being cooled in the 

 shade, the bunches should be suspended in the jars, and the 

 vacant space filled up with oat chaff, all the dust having been 

 previously blown from it. The jars should be well baked 

 or burned, and not such as imbibe moisture ; the tops of the 

 jars must be covered over, and pitched so as to keep out the 

 air. 



The preserved grapes imported into England are princi- 

 pally from Portugal, and are contained in large earthern 

 jars closely cemented down. Besides those exported by 

 Portugal to different foreign countries, large quantities are 

 shipped from Smyrna, Trieste, fee. and sustain the voyage to 

 this country so well that they form regular annual appendages 

 to the fruit shops of our large cities ; those which are usually 

 imported into our country are very large oval white and pur- 

 ple grapes of excellent flavour, with a thick skin however, 

 and without the musk flavour so much prized in many sorts, 

 those possessing that character not being perhaps susceptible 

 of preservation for so long a voyage. 



For full success in this process, it appears to be deemed 

 necessary that a selection be made of such varieties of the 

 grape, as have thick and strong skins, and many of our na- 

 tive grapes being of this description, would without doubt be 

 suitable for the purpose, and none more so of those that I 

 have met with than the Scuppernong, whose skin is thick, and 

 exceedingly tough and strong. The Dure-peau, White 



42 



