The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-09-27

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prefer o republic having q stakeholder
at its head.
DR.. Kuyper, another well known states
man, has expressed the view that Parlia-
ment and the country should accept any
one whom Queen Wlhelmina might NOM
mate.
At tho commencement OF tho vino
season two months ago II seemed prob
able that the yield Of wine 10 France this
year would be very heavy, but unseason-
able rains and consequent disease have
aimee seriously affected the prospects.
especially In some parts OF the country.
Some particulars OF the dismal failure
OF this years champagne crop have
already been oabled 20 The Sun and con-
umers Of that wine win do well to regard
alleged 1905 champagne with suspicion. A
largo part Of the wine country. especially
between Comiares and Mareuilsur-Ay,
has been completely ruined by mildew.
which has destroyed tho fruit, drying II
up. while not attacking leaves.
According TO growers the 5000 acres Oh
vineyards. which produce an annual
average Of $50. 900 gallons Of wine. worth
ti2. ooo. 900. win hardly this year yield
10000. which win not bring In more than
SOC. 900. Some idea Of the havoc worked
by mildew may be gained by the fact
that on al average O heotare. or just
under two and a half acres OF vines In
Champagne, which costs the owner
1900 TO work. will yield this year barely
forty gallons. Thus the wine will cost
the grower nearly Oils a gallon.
The trade win draw, Of course. upon
the reserves in the cellars Of the Cham
payne districts. amounting according
TO official statistics published at Reims
on March 81 last to 18s. 8o0, 900 bottles.
either bottled or in the wood, and repre-"
senting a supply for nearly six years.
the quantity consumed annually being
about 8 100000 bottles. Merchants out
side France hold also. Of course, con-
siderable stocks.
For years all kinds Of cheap white wines
have been imported into this region and
ohampagnised by the INSCRIPTIONS into
high price stun. and SO. 900 casks are com
ing by barge now for this purpose. The
honest growers insist that there must
be no more Of this sham champagne.
They demand that the Law shall res
strict the name Of champagne to Cham
payne grown wines, Just N 1t has re-
strictod cognac to Charehte grown brandy.
Alternativeiy they propose to tip all the
alien wine into the Marne; or probably
they propose TO do that anyhow, since the
law may not be able to intervene In
time this year.
Better news, comes from bordeaux.
It is to the effect that the aspect Of the
wines which have been properly treated
and which escaped the frosts in April
IN superb. but that where a different set
Of conditions prevails there is a notable
contrast.
As for Burgundy. there Is hope. accord
ing 10 reports. that the fine wines of 1904
and 1908 will be followed by another
vintage Of excellent quality. but the
quantity Of the finer growths will be short.
although in the case Of the ordinary and
the white wines the yield will be about
up to the average.
In Cognao. where the vintage win be
commenced at the end Of the month. 1t
is estimated that the yield will be somo-
thing like half Of the quantity. obtained
last year; but, on the other hand. II all
should 60 well to the end the quality will
be better.
In Portugal. where the wine trade 10
passing through a Troublesome period.
the conditions have been generally favor
able to the vine. and around Oports the
weather is perfect and the prospects for
an abundance Of fine wine are excellent.
The gathering Is In full swing.
A r~eassuring report also comes with
regard to sherry. 1t being reported from
Jerez de la Frontera that. In the absence
Of rain between the present time and the
vintage operations. which will be star ted
within a few days. the wine ought 10
be of good quality and high alcoholic
strength.
A heavy yield Is sadly needed In Ger
many. and at n period this year 1t
seemed to be in prospect, but damage
has since been done by the p~eronospera.
and It Ia not anticipated that the crop will
exceed two-fifths OF an average.
With regard TO Italy there will proba-
bly, be an abundance Of wine produced
In the south, but the outlook In the north
is less favorable.
Father Alfani. the director Of the Mete-
geological Observatory OF Florence. has
constructed the largest barometer in
the world. The instrument Is nearly
Is meters high and its glass tube has q
diameter Of over 20 cenimeters.
Father A!fani intended originally to
use water instead Of mercury in this
barometer. but he discovered that q COL
umn OF water with o acuum above 1t
could not rise higher than ten meters.
consequently he decided to use olive oil
instead Of water. To his great surprise.
however, he found out that oil contained
q greater quantity Of cir than water. and
he experienced the greatest difficulty In
removing It.
When this was accomplished and the
fluid was placed in the glass tube the In
strument was found to register the weight
or pressure Of the atmosphere with per-
lection. The barometer 10 now exposed
in Faenza. whers the centenary OF Evan
gelista Torrioelh u being celebrated.
An odd strike 10 going on at Petrella
Sottana. a small town near Palermo. In
Sicily. The parish priest has recently
been changed and IL seems that the new
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