PLANT-LORE OF SHAKESPEARE 
3^5 
again being tried by the Marquis of Bute, at Castle Coch, near 
Cardiff, to establish a Vineyard, not to produce fruit for the 
market, but to produce wine; and as both soil and climate 
seem very suitable, there can be little doubt that wine will be 
produced of a very fair character. Whether it will be a com¬ 
mercial success is more doubtful, but probably that is not of 
much consequence . 1 
I have dwelt at some length on the subject of the English 
Vineyards, because the cultivation of the Vine in Vineyards, 
like the cultivation of the Saffron, is a curious instance of an 
industry foreign to the soil introduced, and apparently for 
many years successful , 2 and then entirely, or almost, given up. 
The reasons for the cessation of the English Vineyards are not 
far to seek. Some have attributed it to a change in the sea¬ 
sons, and have supposed that our summers were formerly 
hotter than they are now, bringing as a proof the Vineyards 
and English-made wine of other days. This was Parkinson’s 
idea. “ Our yeares in these times do not fall out to be so 
kindly and hot to ripen the Grape to make any good wine as 
formerly they have done.” But this is a mere assertion, and I 
believe it not to be true. I have little doubt that quite as 
good wine could now be made in England as ever was made, 
and wine is still made every year in many old-fashioned farm¬ 
houses. But foreign wines can now be produced much better 
and much cheaper, and that has caused the cessation of the 
English Vineyards. It is true that French and Spanish wines 
were introduced into England very early, but it must have 
been in limited quantities, and at a high price. When the 
quantities increased and the price was lowered, it was well to 
give up the cultivation of the Vine for some more certain crop 
better suited to the soil and the climate, for it must always 
1 Since this was written the vineyard has proved to be a great com- 
mei'cial success. 
2 Andrew Boorde was evidently a lover of good wine, and his account 
is : “ This I do say that all the kingdoms of the world have not so many 
sundry kindes of wine as we in England, and yet there is nothing to make 
of.’’—Breviary of Health, 1598. 
