Grape that had its perfect Flavour, unless the Vines were forced; but yet
there were abundance. However, this Year, 1726, on the contrary, there are
very few Grapes, and those are likely to be very good, some being already
ripe against common Walls, without Art; such as the white Muscadine the
24th of _July_, and black Cluster-Grape. And at Sir _Nicholas Garrard_'s
Garden in _Essex_, I eat some of the black _Frontiniack_ full in
perfection, at the same time; and then the grisly and white _Frontiniack_
Grapes, which are the latest kinds, were transparent, and within a little
of being fit to gather: which is a Novelty so great, that has not been
observ'd in _England_ in my time; for the _Frontiniack_ Grapes seldom ripen
till the end of _September_, and then in a bad Year we cannot expect them
without Art. However, the Vines in this worthy Gentleman's Garden are of
long standing, and have been, by his own Directions, order'd and manag'd in
a very artful manner for several Years. And tho' this Year generally we
find so small a quantity in other Gardens, yet at this place there are as
many as I judge are in the whole County besides. In most other places that
I have observ'd this Year, the common way of management has been rather
regarded than the rational part; and even the best Gardeners have fail'd in
their Pruning the last Year, for the production of this Year's Fruit. I
much wonder, that after the Demonstrations I have given from Facts, ever
since the Year 1717, that Vines would grow and prosper well to be planted
in old dry Walls; and the Instances I publish'd in the same Year, in my new
Improvements, of Vines bearing best in dry Rubbish, or the most dry Soil: I
say, it is surprizing, that some of those to whom I gave that satisfaction,
should not guard against excess of Wet, especially when every one, who has
judgment in the Affair of Vegetation, must know, that over-abundant
Moisture will destroy the bearing Quality of any Plant, and more especially
of such a kind of Plant as delights in dry mountainous Countries, as the
Vine is known to do; but a common method of Management has so possess'd
some People, that they will not give themselves leave to think that an