HISTORY OF THE GHAPE VIKE. xvii 



It is supposed to have been introduced into Britain at 

 the commencement of the Christian era, and history 

 amply proves that, for a long series of ages, vineyards 

 were very common in the southern parts of the island, 

 and that the quantity of wine produced from, them was 

 so great as to be considered one of the staple products of 

 the land." — Clement Home. London., 1837. 



Eonisburgh, in north latitude, nearly 55°, is considered 

 the limit at which the grape will ripen in Europe. 



Humboldt has observed, that the best wines are pro- 

 duced from vineyards situated in the interior, away from 

 the sea-board, and remarks, that the cause does not alone 

 reside in the lower summer temperature of the coasts, 

 but attributes the difference to the light, from a clearer 

 state of the heavens. He also says, " to have palatable 

 wine, not only must the mean annual temperature ex- 

 ceed 49° 55', but that the mean winter cold must not 

 fall quite to the freezing point, 33° 4', and this must be 

 followed by a mean summer heat of at least 64° 4'." 



