The English Vineyard
It is a standing query why the vineyard has disappeared from England, and we do not often see the vine over the cottage porch which impressed itself on poets as late as Keats. Recently there was celebrated a conducted tour of the grounds of the Viticultural Research Station, Summerfield, at Oxted, Surrey. It is positively stated that "a large number of varieties have been collected, all of which are suitable for growing under cloches or even in the open. Many of these are now bearing ripe fruit of excellent flavour." There is, indeed, no doubt what- ever that "first-class table and wine grapes can be grown in England." There is some sign that the culture is being restored, and perhaps we may again see such vineyards as stirred the admiration of Michael Drayton at Hatfield, which among other lovely relics still keeps its pleached alley.
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