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and make of the casks still further increase this supposition.

The Peruvian Indians are fond of singing the praises of a favourite drink called Chicha.

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CELLARS

CHAPTER XXIII.

-DECANTING-FININGS- -BOTTLES-
BOTTLING.

Bad Cellars in modern Houses-Iron and movable Bins-Architects ignorant about Cellars-Decanting Machines-All Wines should be decanted-Articles required in the Cellar-How to carry a Bottle-Fining-Corks-Bottling-Best to employ a Wine-cooper -Bottles-Uniform Size impracticable.

ALLUSION has already been made to the con

fined, ill-placed, and ill-arranged cellars in most modern houses-a great contrast to those in old buildings. This drawback may be partly owing to the small stocks gentlemen have been in the habit of keeping for some years past, and also because wine has generally ceased to be a subject of conversation and of rivalry as formerly.

This, however, hardly accounts satisfactorily for the inconsistency of houses having magnificent rooms, large kitchens, &c., but only a little poking winecellar, into which it is often difficult to get even a hogshead.

Frequently the space under a staircase is thought good enough for the purpose, but even this is better than being next the kitchen fire or laundry flues. Others, again, are in some back or front area,

enjoying a temperature of zero in winter, and 60° or 70° in summer.

When the so-called cellar is 'fitted up,' it is found to be provided with two or three brick partitions and stone slabs, forming half a dozen bins, not suited,

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conceivable

either in width, depth, or height, for any arrangement of bottles. If six or eight kinds only are to be kept, these bins might hold them conveniently; but in most cellars there are a few dozen of different kinds of port, sherry, claret, and probably a little champagne, and other descriptions, with a few bottles of spirits. Those who have had

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experience of the usual London cellars can describe the annoyance and confusion which are caused by those ill-adapted places. If three dozen are put in one of the bins, it may be said to be rendered useless for anything else, for breakage and mixing of the bottles are sure to arise from placing even another three dozen on the top of the first.

There should be a separate and distinct place for even six bottles of any one quality or kind, and this is practicable only by having many subdivisions. In a large cellar this can be done, though not easily, with the old-fashioned thick brick bins. Iron bins, such as are represented in No. 1, have been in use among wine merchants for many years; and many private gentlemen have had them put up, according to the size of their cellars. As they are clean, take up very little space, and are fitted so as to receive shelves when wanted, and to be made of sizes to hold large or small quantities, there cannot be a doubt of their superiority.

A few years ago, I was greatly pleased with a light movable iron bin which I saw in Paris. It is now well known here, and is much improved by a slight projection, which prevents the bottle from falling out, or being stolen; and, as a lock and key or padlock may be attached, the bin may be safely placed anywhere. It is made of what is called hoop-iron, which is very light, and allows it to be easily moved to any suitable situation.

No. 2 shows one of these movable bins partly

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REGISTERED CELLULAR WINE BINS; REST FOR EACH BOTTLE.

No. 2.

filled; and No. 3 shows another, with a guard and padlock. They may be had of any size, from Farrow

MOVABLE IRON BIN, WITH LOCK. No. 3.

and Jackson, of Tower Street, the manufacturers of all kinds of things for wine merchants.

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