ai-6 



ON VINEYARDS. 



* spoiled by May frosts and wet summers ; but one 

 « good year balances many disappointments.' " 



" There are not wanting in this country several 

 gentlemen of fortune, who make the improvements 

 in agriculture their favourite study and practice. 

 To such, no experiments could give a more rational 

 and elegant amusement than planting and cul- 

 tivating a small Vineyard in a favourable situ- 

 ation : nor could the fruits of any other plant- 

 ation afford that cheerful pleasure, which they 

 would receive from drinking fine wines of their 

 own production. The prospect of some success, 

 even from the first trial, seems almost certain if 

 conducted by the rules given by Mr. Hamilton 

 and Miller, with the necessary assistance of a good 

 Vigneron, well versed in the mechanic operations 

 of this process. Neither is it improbable, but that 

 in some time several Vineyards may be propagated, 

 on account of the profit arising from them, and this 

 country supplied with native wines, very superior 

 to many of those which are now imported." 



From the foregoing accounts, it is evident that 

 good wine may be made in this country in a 

 propitious season : and it is also certain, that 

 formerly there have been Vineyards in many 

 parts of this kingdom, particularly near abbeys 

 and monasteries. This plainly appears by the 

 lands in various places still retaining the name of 

 Vineyards : but antiquaries are silent as to the 

 reasons of their being rooted up and neglected. 



