42 INTRODUCTION. 



says the adage, "is the mother of invention ;" 

 and to this stern parent is the vigneron of the 

 Cantons indebted for the series of experiments 

 which has established on his hills those delicate 

 vines, that require but little comparative labour 

 in the more genial climate of the neighbouring 

 states. 



The process by which the vigneron of Swit- 

 zerland, acclimates to his country the southern 

 vine, draws heavily on the patience of the culti- 

 vator, and taxes his industry for a period of eight 

 or ten years. It is unknown to the cultivator o. 

 France or Italy, because neither France nor Italy 

 requires the adoption of.it. It is the peculiar 

 cultivation of Swiss industry, and I shall speak 

 of it at large in its proper place. 



It cannot be denied that much labour is given 

 in the Cantons to the cultivation of the vine, and 

 this fact is urged as objectionable with us against 

 the system of vine growing. 



A little reflection on the comparative situation 

 of the two countries, and the mode of culture 

 growing necessarily out of the peculiar situation 

 of each, may be sufficient, I think, to satisfy those 

 whose honest doubts are opposed to the measure. 

 The high rate of labour, is constantly urged as 

 objectionable with us against the introduction of 

 the vine. 



I readily admit the extravagant price of labour 

 among us. It is greater, perhaps, than in any 

 other settled country. But while the dispropor- 

 tion of labour in the United States and many 

 parts of Europe, is as three to one against us, 

 an equal if not greater disparity in our favour is 



