384 TRAVELS IN 
AVc crossed the mountains, over the Attaquas Pass, on the 
ISlh of March, and entered the Laiige Kloof or Long Valley. 
Here we met with, at almost every farm, an excellent vine- 
yard of the Muscatel and Persian grape, both at this time 
fully ripe ; we observed also extensive plantations of tobacco, 
and a variety of fruit trees. The oranges were large and re- 
markably good. Notwithstanding the great plenty, and the 
good quality of the grapes, the inhabitants made little wine, 
and that little was execrably bad. The distance, indeed, 
from a market, and the badness of the roads, hold out little 
encouragement to the farmer, either for extending the quan- 
tity or improving the quality of this article. Raisins, being 
a more transportable commodity, are more the object of their 
attention than wine. The making of these requires a very 
simple process. The bunch of grapes is first immersed in a 
strong solution of wood ashes, and afterwards laid upon a 
stage covered with rush matting, until it be thoroughly dried. 
The bruised grapes, the undergrowings, the stalks and ex- 
pressed husks, with the lees or dregs of new wine, are thrown 
together into large vessels until they ferment, and are then 
distilled into a sort of brandy. From trash like this is most 
of the ardent spirit manufactured which is sold in the Cape 
under the name of Brandewi/n, and which, from its cheap- 
ness and bad quality, not only poisons the bodies, but also 
corrupts the morals of the lower orders of the town, and the 
country farmers. 
Our march along the Lauge Kloof was delightfully pleasant. 
The road was extremely good, the country cheerful, being 
