28 OPEN AIR GRAPE CULTURE. 



would let it out in half, or even quarter acre lots to 

 industrious women with a view to their establishing 

 vineyard plots, we think that after the first two years 

 such an allotment of half an acre ought to yield 

 its tenant from $250 to $400 per year, from which, 

 after paying a good round rent, they might retain 

 more than they can now make at any other employ- 

 ment within their reach. And let it not be said that 

 the culture of the soil is unsuited to the sphere of 

 woman. We rather think that Eve was more of a 

 gardener than shirt-maker before she "brought sin 

 into the world and all our woe ;" and those who think 

 gardening unsuited to woman are referred to Lou- 

 don's remarks in the " Gardener's Magazine," where 

 lie recommends it to his fair countrywomen instead 

 of the ball-room and the dance. 



We shall not stultify ourselves with referring to 

 Indian and European savages, who make the women 

 do all the hard work, even though women are there 

 found equal to the roughest agricultural labor. But 

 in vine culture, after the first great effort has been 

 made to get the soil suitably prepared, there is really 

 little hard work to be done. Even hoeing does not 

 require more strength than washing and scrubbing ; 

 and pruning, trimming, and gathering the fruit are 

 not above the strength of our weakest females ; and we 

 promise them that if they undertake it they will soon 



