75 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



its most dangerous enemy early frost. The sj^ring comes late, 

 as the crust of ice on the lake keeps the water and air cold, and 

 retards the opening of the buds until the usual danger of frost 

 is past. The water exerts a similar favorable influence in au- 

 tumn, by retaining the heat collected during the summer, so that 

 the fruit is protected from early frosts in September. The pres- 

 ence of this stratum of air is shown by the absence of light frosts 

 during late autumn, and by the greenness of the foliage where the 



Fig. 3. Champagne Vault. 



warm breezes from the lake extend. There is a difference of from 

 six to ten degrees between the temperature near the lake and that 

 on the hilltops.* 



The soil is also another important factor in the successful 

 growing of grapes. The surface of the Lake Keuka hillsides is 

 composed of gravel and shale on calcareous rock. It looks bare, 

 having been washed oif by rainstorms and freshets centuries ago. 

 There are places where vegetation is stunted, and where weeds 

 find no great encouragement; and yet the finest Catawba vines 

 flourish in soils that appear little l)etter than gravel beds. You 

 wonder how grapes can grow and sweeten on such ground. The 

 reason is, that in such earth the soil retains the sun's heat long 



* The influence of water in ameliorating climate is seen in the varieties of native grapes 

 that flourish in certain localities. The labrusca stock is a native east of the Alleghany 

 Mountains, and is suited to a moist climate. It does not do well or flourish in the dry re- 

 gions of the Western and Southwestern States. The bonrquhihma varieties, such as hcrbe- 

 mont, are eminently dry climate grapes. The fesiivalis of the South and the native viparias 

 of tlie Northwest are best fitted to their environment. 



