INTRODUCTION. 57 



appear, I think them so in appearance only, and 

 that the discrepancy of testimony is capable of a 

 satisfactory solution. In my opinion, it is the 

 vine which is itself capricious, misleading, like 

 the ignis fatuus, the inquirer but just entered 

 upon a consideration of the subject, and that the 

 Swiss proprietor has given the results of his ex- 

 perience, and which may have been decidedly 

 opposite in the vineyard of his neighbour, pos- 

 sessing a different exposure, though at the dis- 

 tance of a hundred yards from each other. 



From all these considerations, the American 

 cultivator may infer, that enough is already known 

 to encourage and stimulate him in the cultivation, 

 but that years will probably pass away before 

 the capabilities of his vineyard shall be fully de- 

 veloped. Some will succeed even beyond ex- 

 aggerated hope; and where the product of others 

 shall fall short, it may yet be equal to an ample 

 remuneration for their expense and labour. 

 Should even their wines be inferior, the reflec- 

 tion naturally arises, what is the proportion in 

 the consumption of ordinary and superior wines. 

 The answer will be greatly in favour of the for- 

 mer, and they will probably be swept off by an 

 active demand, whilst the finer vintage will ripen 

 in the vaults of the factor, and slowly, though 

 surely be required, by increasing wealth, or in- 

 creasing prodigality. To the cultivator of our 

 country it therefore appears, that the site of the 

 vineyard is a consideration which well deserves 

 a judicious attention. We have reason to deem 

 it less imperative than in the colder regions of 

 the Swiss mountains; but we should not disre- 



