Grape Vine.
123. The vine, or grape tree, (Vitis vinifera, L. Pen tandria Monogynia ; rites, Juss.) it is perhaps superflu ous to mention, has a twisted irregular stem, with very long flexible branches, supporting themselves by means of tendrils; the leaves larg2, lobed, alternate, on long foot stalks ; the flowers in a raceme, of a herbaceous colour, insignificant in appearance, but fragrant. The berry, or grape, is generally globular ; in some varieties, oval ; of various colours, green, yellowish, or amber, reddish brown, and black.
124. It has generally been said, that the vine was in troduced into this country by the Rotnans; hut from Tacitus we learn, that it was unknown in Britain when Julius Agricola had the command. It was probably first cultivated here in the time of the late Emperors, pen haps about the close of the 3d century.
At the date of the Conquest there seem to have been vineyards in the south and south-west of England. From that period downward to the Reformation, vineyards ap pear to have been attached to all the principal religious foundations in England ; and it is somewhat curious, that from the time of the Reformation to the present day they have in a great measure disappeared. A few, however,, have occasionally been formed. From the Museum Rics ticum we learn, that one was established at Arundel Cas ..
tie in Sussex about the middle of the last century ; and that in 1763, there were in the Duke of Norfolk's cellars sixty pipes of English burgundy, its produce. Professor Marty!' of Cambridge has, with his usual industry, drawn together the evidence concerning the culture of the grape vine in Britain in former times, and the practicability of resuming it ; and he concludes, that in former times there were many real vineyards in England,—not merely or chards and plantations of currants, as the Hon. Daincs Barrington and others have suspected ; and gives it as his opinion, that vineyards might still be successful in the southern and western parts of England, in proper soils and situations, if conducted by persons skilled in their management. The earliest and hardiest grapes, or those best suited to the climate, are not, however, well calcu lated for the making of wine. The miller and small black
cluster may do ; but they are inferior to the large black cluster, which has an austere taste. Mr Vispri!, in 1786, published a dissertation on the growth of vines in England. Ile proposed to train the shoots, like the runners of melons and cucumbers, near the ground; and he actually found, that the berries thus produced were larger than those of the same kinds trained against a south wall. In the north of France, it is well known, the vines are trained very low, not rising more than four or five feet from the ground.
125. Parkinson, in 1629, describes twenty-three kinds of grape vines, several of which are still cultivated, and in high esteem, such as the Muscadines, and the Frontig nacs. The following at e the principal kinds which are at this time cultivated in Britain; those which succeed in the open air being distinguished by an asterisk.
The White Muscadine is very generally cultivated against open walls in the sonthet n parts of England ; and, being an early grape, it ripens well. The berries are roundish, thin skinned, and of an amber colour when ripe ; at which time their juice becomes sweet, and of delicate flavour. The bunches are small, but many arc produced. Forsyth says, that it is the best vine we have for a com mon wall, and a great bearer ; and Speechly remarks, that it is often cut and eaten before it be fully ripe, but that when well matured, it is an exceedingly fine grape.
The White Sweetwater is likewise an excellent early grape, much cultivated in the open air. The berries are round, not of equal size, some being as large as cherries, while others remain nearly as small as mustard seeds; they are thin skinned, and full of juice, which is sugary, but not vinous. When nearly ripe, they become of an amber colour ; when clouded with russet, they are in per fection. Nicol remarks, that this grape, like the former, is often cut before it be fully ripe, and that this has occa sioned it to be less in repute than it deserves. The shoots are thick and strong, but not long ; the leaves very large.