4 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



in despair of their successful culture, and are improving our own varieties ; but has this vine 

 been tried in the above indicated region, where (in South Carolina) the tea-plant grows and 

 flourishes? Nearer the sea it has been, but there the soil is generally sandy. It is worthy of 

 a trial. 



Madeira possesses a very large chestnut, which might be profitably introduced into our coun- 

 try.' It is about one inch in diameter ; rather insipid and indigestible when raw, it becomes 

 nearly as, and, if anything, more pleasant to the taste, when roasted (and it is thus found at 

 the tables of the opulent), than the Irish potato. Its nutritive properties must be considerably 

 greater — probably about midway between that and the bean. As food for swine, it would be 

 most valuable. 



A few small parcels of wheat were seen. They were spread out upon mats, and exposed to 

 the sun, being filled with weavil. It was an inferior sort of thick-skinned red wheat, not 

 equal to ordinary Mediterranean. 



Among other fruits found here, the peach grows by the side of the banana, and the pear by 

 the orange. However, these would not have been mentioned, but for the fact that the mandarin 

 orange of China is found growing well in the yard of the American consul, Mr. March. 

 Should an attempt to introduce it into the United States from China fail, this would be a 

 source near at hand, and its transference in the summer months would be exceedingly easy. 



No other plant of interest is recollected, except a species of vine, or wide-spreading shrub, 

 which makes a most beautiful arbor, with the densest shade. By training upon frames, it 

 covers many yards in extent. 



Upon entering the town of Funchal, one is struck with the cleanliness of the streets and 

 their neat pavements. They are narrow, and bordered either by houses or stone walls, which 

 latter extend with them, in some directions^ into the country. These roads, in passing along 

 steep places, are graded, by cutting down from the upper side, and embanking from below, 

 which is faced and supported by stone-work. While walking upon this raised side, it is fre- 

 quently observed that vines grow out horizontally, i. e., at right angles with the facing, and 

 are received upon frames. By keeping them properly trimmed, and not planting too close, the 

 earth beneath is occupied by culinary vegetables or grass, and the vines require and receive 

 neither cultivation nor tending, &c. In what manner the necessary atmospheric influences 

 penetrate to, and the necessary moisture is retained at the roots, may4$e a question, seeing they 

 spread out under the beaten road and along the land face of the wall. However this may be, 

 the vines are healthy and flourishing. Might not a hint be taken from this, to construct a 

 vineyard upon a moderate declivity, by laying it out in wide terraces, facing them with stone, 

 training the vines from the walls, either horizontally or perpendicularly, at pleasure, and cul- 

 tivating the level plots as indicated above — the whole to be regularly manured, &c? No grass 

 or weeds could ever encumber or choke the roots and stem of the vine in this way, and the labor 

 of attendance would be greatly lessened, and more than repaid by the other produce, leaving 

 the grapes for wine as nett profit. By-the-by, though no opportunity presented itself of visit- 

 ing any regular vineyard, yet it was noticed that the usual close trimming of Europe was not 

 followed here, and that around very many cottages or huts the frames were so made as to lean 

 over, and at a few feet from their rooms, and rising nearly to the ridge poles, upon which vines 

 were trained and embowered the houses — rivalling in size and extent those of Mr. Miller, of 

 North Carolina. This observation corroborates the growing opposition in our countiy to very 



close cutting! 



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