202 Works oti Gardening, S^c. 



Two degrees farther north, or in the Valley of Cashmere, at an elevation of 

 5500 ft., we have grapes both excellent and plentiful, as we learn from both 

 Mr. Foster and Mr. Moorcroft. The latter says, that ' many thousands of 

 acres skirting the foot of the hills are covered with apple and pear trees in 

 full bearing, but without owners.' (Joiirn. of Geog. Society, i. p. 241. and 

 253.) My plant collectors expressed their admiration by describing the fruit 

 trees as forming a perfect jungle in Cashmere. The moderation of tem- 

 perature, with the existence of moisture, has been mentioned at p. 27. as 

 accounting for the magnitude attained by many species of European genera. 

 This will also explain the great size of the vines, which, Mr. Moorcroft informs 

 us, ' scales the summit of the poplar,' as well as the want of a fine flavour, 

 observed in the grapes brought to India, packed in layers of cotton. At 

 Khoten, also, the vine is described by Mr. Moorcroft as being very productive. 

 The different kinds of raisins called monukka, kishmish, and bedana, are brought 

 chiefly from Istaulik. At Cabool, nearly in the same latitude, but more to 

 the eastward than Cashmere, and elevated 6000 ft., the grapes are described 

 by Lieut. Burnes to be so plentiful, as to be given for three months to cattle. 

 They are also abundant at Bokhara, and in both places are converted into 

 wine, and dried as raisins. Astrakhan, in 46° of n. latitude, seems to be the 

 most northern point in Asia where the grape thrives ; and there the vineyards 

 are described as being numerous. Every traveller mentions the grapes and 

 wine of Persia. Dr. Ainslie says, it was from thence, as well as from the 

 banks of the Rhine, that grape plants were originally sent to the Cape of 

 Good Hope, and that some of these from Persia now produce the red and 

 white Constantia. This is generally considered the only good wine from that 

 settlement. Dr. Ainslie thinks highly of the Madeira made from the groene 

 druyf ; but Pontac is also a good and very sound wine. The Persians, it may 

 be added, claim the discovery of wine, and call it zuJir-i-khoosh, or the delightful 

 poison. 



" It may not be uninteresting to mention, that in the northern provinces of 

 India, where we have, at one season, a climate analogous to that of European 

 latitudes, and, at another, a degree of heat which is never attained even within 

 the tropics, the only wines which are relished, after the stimulus of a single glass 

 of Madeira, are the light clarets of France, or the hock of Germany ; while, 

 in the cold weather, port is frequently drunk, though never seen at any other 

 season of the year, unless sometimes during the moisture of a damp situation 

 in the rains ; showing that climate influences the taste of northern nations for 

 the stronger wines, rather than the habit one regrets to see ascribed to the 

 English in a work generally of much research, published only during the pre- 

 sent year : — ' The English seldom drink any but spirituous wines, because they 

 find wines without brandv in them too weak.' — Diet, de Mat. Med.^tom.y'i. 

 p. 935. Paris, 1834." 



(To be continued.^ 



Art. VII. Catalogue of Works on Gardenings Agriculture, Botany, 

 Rural Architecture, S^'C, lately published, ivith some Account of those 

 considered the most interesting. 



The Mirror of Literature, Amuseme7it, and Instruction, 8^c. 

 Vol. XXIV. London, 1834.. 5s. 6d. Published also in 

 vi'eekly Numbers, at 2d. each. 



We have before, in IX. 450., recommended this work as 

 remarkably cheap, and as brimful of entertainment and instruc- 

 tion. We have only to repeat our praise, and say that it con- 

 tains excellent miscellaneous reading for the young gardener. 



