It is about as sweet as the silky Madeira, as
astringent on the palate as Bordeaux, and as brisk as Champagne. It is a
pleasing wine. At Moncaglieri, about six miles from Turin, on the right
side of the Po, begins a ridge of mountains, which, following the Po
by Turin, after some distance, spreads wide, and forms the duchy of
Montferrat. The soil is mostly red, and in vines, affording a wine
called Montferrat, which is thick and strong.
April 19. _Settimo. Chivasso. Ciliano. S. Germano. Vercelli_. The
country continues plain and rich, the soil black. The culture, corn,
pasture, maize, vines, mulberries, walnuts, some willow, and poplar.
The maize bears a very small proportion to the small grain. The earth is
formed into ridges from three to four feet wide, and the maize sowed in
the broad-cast, on the higher parts of the ridge, so as to cover a third
or half of the whole surface. It is sowed late in May. This country
is plentifully and beautifully watered at present. Much of it is by
torrents, which are dry in summer. These torrents make a great deal
of waste ground, covering it with sand and stones.
Pages:
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302