CROPS. 499 



covering a whole tree with their thick and umbrageous foli 

 age ; and the purple clusters of the fruit, hanging over the tree 

 in the richest abundance, remind one of some of the earliest 

 temptations to which our frail race are said to have been 

 subjected. 



In passing up the Rhine, after entering upon the highlands, 

 the base of which the waves of this magnificent river have 

 swept for so many ages, one is absolutely struck with amaze 

 ment at the examples of industry, labor, and enterprise which 

 every where present themselves, in the cultivation of the vine, 

 wherever a favorable aspect presents itself. The steepest acclivi 

 ties are walled up in successive steps or zigzag lines, from the 

 bottom to the top of very high hills, so as to create or obtain 

 some little flat surface for the planting of the vines, and to pre 

 vent the washing of the dirt from their roots. Where there is 

 no soil, soil has been transported on the shoulders of men and 

 women in baskets, for no horse or mule could possibly ascend 

 many of these heights ; and where there has been no other 

 method of securing the soil and the vine, these baskets full of 

 soil have been placed, and there remain, that the plant may have 

 a footing. The manure, too, to supply these vines, must be 

 carried up, and the produce must all be brought down upon 

 human shoulders. The labor performed here seems almost 

 incredible. The German wines bear a high price, and these 

 situations produce those of the best quality. The celebrated 

 Johannisberg wine is grown upon the banks of the Rhine, at a 

 magnificent place owned by the distinguished Prince Metter- 

 nich, and is said to be a source of great profit. The delighted 

 traveller has the opportunity of at least feasting his eyes on this 

 beautiful vineyard, and this rich and picturesque country. 



A vineyard, if well cared for, will last an indefinite number 

 of years. The worst wines grown in France are represented to 

 be the most profitable, as they pay either none, or the lightest 

 duties, and being sold at a cheap rate, they never want con 

 sumers. 



16. OLIVES. The cultivation of the olive-tree, both for 

 comfits or pickles, and for the oil obtained from the fruit, is 

 considerably extended in France, and still more in Southern 

 Italy. The extent of land appropriated to the growth of the 



