II. _THE ENGLISH VINE-YARD VINDICATED._ The Author (Mr. _John Rose_, his Majesties Gardener at his Royal Garden in St. _James_'s) makes it his business in this small Tract (a very thin Pocket-book) by a few short Observations made by himself, to direct _Englishmen_ in the _Choice_ of the _Fruit_, and the _Planting_ of Vine-yards; heretofore very frequently cultivated, though of late almost quite neglected by them. He discourses skilfully, 1. Of the _severall sorts_ of _Vines_, and what _Grapes_ are most sutable to the _Climate_ of _England_; where he chiefly commends the small _Black-grape_, or _Cluster-grape_; the _Parsley-grape_; the White _Muscadine_; the _Frontiniack_; and a new _White-grape_, with a red Wood and a dark green Leaf: All these being early ripe fruit. 2. Of the _Soyle_, and _Scituation_ of a Vine-yard in _England_: Where, as to the _First_, he pitches upon a _Light Soile_, having a bottom of _Chalk_ or _Gravel_, and given to _Brambles_ observing, that no Plant whatsoever is so connatural to the Vine for Soyl, as the _Bramble_. As for the _Scituation_ he chooses that side or declivity of a Hill, that lies to the _South_ or _Southwest_; and is favoured with _other Hills_ somewhat higher, or _Woods_ on the _North_ and _East_, to break the rigour of those quarters. This direction he thinks of that importance, that he affirms, that the discouragement of the Culture of Vines in _England_ has only proceeded from men's misinformation on this material article of _Choice_ of _Soyle_ and _Scituation_. 3. How to _prepare_ the Ground for the Plantation, _vid._ by plowing up the _Swarth_ in _July_, and by disposing the _Turf_ in _small_ heaps, and so burning them, and spreading the ashes over the Land; care being taken, that by heaping too much materials together, the Earth be not over-burnt by the excessive heat and fire, which they require to reduce them to ashes. What is added, of the Manner of planting the _Sets_; of Dressing, Pruning, and Governing the Plantation; of the Ordering and Cultivating the Vine-yard after the first four years, till it needs renewing; as also of the _manner_ and _time_, how and when to manure the Vine-yard, with Compost, will be better understood from the Book it self, than can be here described; the Author pretending, that, those few observations of his, as the native production of his own Experience, being practised with care, the Vine-yards in _England_ may be planted, govern'd and perpetuated with undoubted success; and offering withall to furnish those, that have a desire to renew this Culture, and to store their grounds with _Sets_ and _Plants_ of all those sorts, which he recommends; he having a plentiful _stock_ of them all. * * * * * Printed with Licence for _John Martyn_, and _James Allestry_, Printers to the Royal Society. 1666. {263} * * * * * _Num._ 16. PHILOSOPHICAL _TRANSACTIONS._