STATURE OF THE VINE. 
J75 
and uncultivated Hate, fince by pruning and dreffing, the vigour 
of the ftock is diflributed and transfufed into the branches. 
I have been informed that there are, upon the Barbary coaft. 
Vines now growing of furpriling dimenhons, fome of them ha- 
ving trunks eight or nine feet in circumference. If the age of 
thefe could be afcertained, it would, no doubt, be found equally 
aftonifhing. We are not informed whether it be any particu- 
lar kind of Vine that grows to this amazing fize, or whether 
the lize ought not to be attributed to the genius of the foil 
and air of that country. 
We cannot poffibly exped: fuch furpriling instances of anti- 
quity in this country, on account of the unfavourablenefs of 
our climate from the Northern htuation of the ifland. 
Indeed we learn from hiftory that grapes, as well as moft 
other forts of fruit, were brought, by flow degrees, into the 
Weftern parts of Europe, and principally from Afia and 
Egypt ^ 
The 
s “ In the more remote ages of antiquity, the work! was unequally divided. The 
Eaft was in the immemorial pofieiTion of arts and luxury, whilft the Weft 
“ was inhabited by rude and warlike barbarians, who either difdained agri- 
“ culture, or to whom it was totally unknown. Under the protedlion of an 
“ eftablilhed government, the preduulions of happier climates, and the induftry 
“ of more civilized nations, were gradually Introduced into the Weftern 
“ countries 
