The Natural History of Selborne

Finished trimming & tacking my vines: the wood is pretty well ripened for next year.  Not withstanding the vehemence of last summer, & the lasting heat, yet my grapes were not so early nor so well ripened as in some moderate years.  In particular in 1775 my crops began to be gathered the first week in Septemr: & were in high perfection all the autumn: whereas this year we could not gather at all  ’til Octobr & then the flavour was not delicate & many clusters never ripened at all.  A proof this that somewhat more is requisite in the production of fine fruits than mere heat.  My peaches & nectarines also this summer were not in such perfection as in some former seasons.