Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines, Cordials and Liqueurs from Fruits, Flowers, Vegetables and Shrubs

1909. A wonderful collection of recipes and tips for making wines. The idea of compiling this little volume occurred to me while on a visit to some friends at their summer home in a quaint New England village. The social customs of this Adamless Eden were precise and formal. As with the dear ladies of Cranford, a call was a very serious affair, given and received with great gravity, and had its time limit set with strict punctuality. Cake and wine were invariably served as a preliminary warning toward early departure. Here came in my first acquaintance with many varieties of homemade wines, over whose wealth of color and delicacy of flavor my eyes and palate longed to linger. Vulgar curiosity made me bold to inquire the names of a few; imagine my astonishment when graciously told that the gay dandelion, the modest daisy, the blushing currant, had one and all contributed their nectar to the joy of the occasion. Flattered by my interest, my gentle hostess broke strict rules of etiquette and invited me to linger, showing me rare old gardens aglow with flowers, fruits and vegetables that in due time would contribute to their store, and at parting various timeworn recipes were urged upon me, with verbal instructions and injunctions upon the best methods of putting them to test...With a gentle hand I tie my little bunch together and present you my bouquet.