GRAPE-SHOT is an assemblage, in the form of a column, of nine balls resting on a circular plate, through which passes a pin serving as an axis. The ball are contained in a strong canvass bag, and are bound together on the exterior of the latter by a cord disposed about the column in the manner of a net. GRAPES; GRAPE-VINE. The delicious and well-known fruit of the vine is used as an article of diet in several ways. Its agreeable sweet acid flavour when ripe has always ren dered it a very desirable food when fresh. The ancients also, there can be little doubt, were in the habit of drinking the expressed juice of the grape before fermentation. Grapes are also dried and used under the name of Raisins. The drying is generally effected by cutting half through the fruit-stalk whilst they are suspended on the tree. Grapes thus dried are called Muscatel Raisins, and are principally brought from Spain and the Levant. The most extensive use of the grape is for the pur pose of making wine. [WINE.]
Although our climate does not permit of the grape attaining its greatest perfection in the open air, yet in the forcing system of culti vating grapes by heat, Great Britain probably produces the most delicious grapes in the world. But even in the open air in the southern counties of England, if proper care is taken, very good fruit may be obtained.
Grapes may be kept by packing them in jars, each branch separately wrapped in paper. The bunches and layers of fruit are to be separated by well-dried bran ; bran is also laid above and below the grapes ; and there are finally laid over the top a piece of a stretched piece of bladder, and a well fitting cover to the jar.
Sugar is obtained from grapes, by saturating the juice with chalk, decanting the clear evaporating to a syrup, clarifying with white of egg, and then evaporating. It is les: sweetening than al-sugar.
Grapes to the value of 30,000/. to 40,0001 are annually imported.