STATURE OF THE VINE. 



179 



proper cultivation, we find it sometimes arrive to 

 a large bulk, and in point of longevity to vie even 



put any body in mind of the Elysian fields. It consisted of an 

 endless continuation of Vines, - supported by mulberry-trees 

 regularly planted, the Vine-branches so disposed as to form 

 rich festoons from one tree to the other. I have seen such 

 festooned vineyards in some parts of Italy, especially in the 

 duchies of Mantua and Modena, with this only difference from 

 the Catalonian fashion, that instead of mulberry-trees, the 

 Modenese and Mantuan Vines are supported by elms. 



" Think how rich the Catalonian soil must be, that affords 

 nourishment not only to those Vines and mulberry-trees, but 

 also to the wheat that is sown under their shade ! * Nay, there 

 are vineyards in this country in which, after the corn-crop, 

 they get another of some other grain. What a delightful object 

 to the eyes of the honest husbandman, to see so much fertility 

 come thus forth to reward his well-spent labours !" 



Barettis Travels, vol. iv. p. 73. 



It is much to be regretted that Mr. Baretti did not inves- 

 tigate and describe the soil which is said to be thus prolific. 

 The festoon-vineyards in Lombardy are not less elegant than 

 the above, although the Vines are there trained somewhat 

 differently. A celebrated author has thus described them : 



* Mr. Swinburne, in his Travels through * Spain, says, 

 et Their vintages are commonly very plentiful. This autumn, 

 1775, there was such a superabundance of grapes in the valley 

 of Talarn, in the neighbourhood of Pallas, that 'whole vineyards 

 were left untouched, for want of vessels to make or hold the wine 

 in. Notice was pasted upon the church-doors, that any one was 

 at liberty to take away what quantity he pleased, on paying a 

 small acknowledgement to the proprietors. The best red wine of 

 Catalonia is made at Mataw, north of Barcelona, and the best 

 white at Sitges, between that city and Tarragona." Page 65. 



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