Matching, a method of preparing vessels for the preservation of wines, cyder, or similar liquors, from becoming sour. It is effected in the following manner : Let any quantity of sulphur be melted in an iron ladle ; and, as soon as it is liquefied, slips of coarse linen cloth are to be dipped in it; which, when taken out and cooled, are called matches. One of these slips is now to be lighted, and suspended in the bung-hole of a cask, which ought to be slightly stopped, till the match is consumed ; when the hole may be closed, and the vessel be suffered to stand for one or two hours. On opening the bung-hole, it will be found that the sulphur has com-municated to the whole cask a very pungent, though suffocating and acid, odour.

The vessel may next be filled with small wine, newly fermented ; and, on carefully closing it, the liquor will speedily clarify. This method is very commonly practised in different parts of England, and is said to be very useful ; as many poor wines may thus be preserved potable for a considerable time. We doubt, however, its salubrity; and conceive that other articles might be advantageously employed instead of the pernicious fumes of sulphur, which render both wine and cyder alike unwholesome, especially for persons affected with diseases of the breast or lungs.