4 



PREFACE TO THE 



Gen. ix. 20. And if we duly consider the vast 

 importance of its fruit in every shape and view, 

 it may justly be esteemed the best and most useful 

 fruit-tree in the world. The ripe fruit serves to 

 constitute a rich and wholesome repast; and, when 

 dried, forms a most material and lucrative article 

 of commerce to the inhabitants of many parts of 

 the globe ; but the most important and most 

 transcendant article, wine, may justly be esteemed 

 as one of our choicest blessings, so the most 

 valuable gift of nature. 



From the situation of this island, and from the 

 nature of the Vine, it may seem doubtful whether 

 wine can be made in this country to any con- 

 siderable national advantage : but still we find, by 

 experience, that by artificial means, even the latest 

 kinds of grapes may be brought to almost as high 

 a degree of perfection as they are in their own 

 native soils and climes. The principal objects of 

 expence required for this end are fuel and glass ; 

 the former article is of small consideration in 

 counties where coals abound, but glass is become 

 a truly serious affair ; and indeed it were much to 

 be wished, that glass employed in gardens should 

 be exempt from duty ; for please to consider, by 

 the aid of this useful material in gardening, our 

 markets would be more plentifully supplied with 

 many kinds of fruit, and also with rare and whole- 

 some vegetables, at a much earlier season than in 



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