62 Improved Method of Preserving Wines, &c. 



continuance of northerly winds is about to follow. A very 

 high barometer and comparatively low temperature is gen- 

 erally followed by a gentle breeze from S.E., except in 

 summer, when the wind may be fierce from that quarter ; 

 with the barometer falling rapidly, the wind will veer round 

 to N.E., and N., accompanied in winter by rain, fog, or dew, 

 and increasing in force ; in summer generally a hot wind will 

 set in ; unsteadiness in the barometer indicates the shifting 

 of the wind to N.W., in which quarter the barometer is then 

 lowest ; after this, with a rapid rising barometer, the wind 

 will shift to W., W.S.W., and S.W., accompanied generally 

 with heavy rain and thunder and lightning ; with a still 

 rising barometer the wind decreases in force, inclining 

 towards south, until it has again reached its maximum in 

 S.E. Whenever it blows from N.N.W. or N.W., the 

 barometer, if still falling, should be frequently observed, and 

 as soon as it becomes steady, and the wind is apparently lull- 

 ing, the shifting of the wind towards S.W. may be expected, 

 which usually takes place with great violence. Gales from 

 S.E. are frequent in summer, and generally commence with 

 a high barometer and light variable winds and calms ; 

 towards the height of the gale the barometer falls but slightly, 

 and the wind is then gradually dying away. A steadily 

 falling barometer, with fine weather and light winds from 

 JNT.JM.E. after such a gale, is generally followed by heavy 

 westerly squalls, with much rain and hailstones. 



Akt. VII. — An Improved Method of Preserving Wines, 

 Spirits, &c. By A. K. Smith, Esq. 



[Read 28th May, 1868.] 



Mr. President and Gentlemen, 



The subject of iny paper this evening bears chiefly upon a 

 colonial industry of rapidly increasing importance, namely, 

 the manufacture and preservation of wine ; but the principle 

 to which I have now to direct your attention may be applied 

 with beneficial results to the preservation of any other 

 liquids in the cellar or on draught, so far as preventing 

 contact with the external air, where such contact is liable 

 to injure the quality of the liquid. 



My knowledge of the manufacture of wine is but limited, 

 and at most, theoretical. Having been infoimed. however, 



