X IKTRODUCTION. 



to be the best after many years' experience, in its culti- 

 vation; durii g which time, the different systems of 

 pruning have been all tried, and many of the vineyards 

 in France, and on the Ehine, in Italy, and other 

 countries have been visited, and the manner of pruning, 

 the varieties of soil, and tlie amount of fruit which a vine 

 is permitted to ripen, have been examined and ascer- 

 tained. 



The disadvantages we labor under, in. this country, in 

 forcing fruit, from the extreme coldness of the weather 

 in winter, are counterbalanced, in some degree, by the 

 superior brilliancy of the sun, and consequent dryness of 

 the atmosphere, at the time of ripening, which give a 

 flavor to the fruit, such as it can rarely be made to attain 

 in the moist, dull, and cloudy weather of England.* 

 The variations of tlie temperature are always indicated 

 by a Fahrenheit thermometer. , 



* I find that I have not always been here rightly understood. The idea 

 intended to be expressed is, that the natural advantages of our climate 

 over that of England, in respect to the atmosphere, are very much in our 

 favor. Most seasons, the grapes produced in this country in houses with- 

 out fire heat, are equally well flavored as those grown with artificial heat. 

 The forced fruits of England, grapes, pine apples, and cherries, are very 

 superior. I have never, in any country, eaten better, particularly the pine 

 apples, which are richer in flavor than any I have ever tasted in the East 

 Indies. 



