1880 Facts about Port and Madeira by Henry Vizetelly

In the Port Wine Country.

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stone steps to the large stone lagar,into which tliey are at once shot. As each of the lagares at this quinta holds fifteen or sixteen pipes,it takes a day or more,according to the number of hands employed,to fill it. When this is accomplished to within a few inches of the brim the gi'apes are spread about with hoes, and a gang of sometwentytreaders,with their trousers tucked up

THE QTTIltTA DA BOA VISTA. as high as possible,spring into the lagar,and,forming a line with their arms resting on each other's shoulders,commence treading the grapes with measured step,now advancing,now retiring,while the juice exudesand grapes and stalks become gradually reduced to a kind of pulp. This is a long and tedious operation,and usually continues day and night with but slight intermission.