YALE AGRICULTURAL LECTURES. 53 



jected to a cross-examination of the most rigid nature. Some 

 ol Mr. Allen's questions created much good-natured merriment, 

 for he was evidently determined to make our lona friend, 

 and his sympathizers, give their reasons for the faith which was 

 within them. The information elicited in reply to questions 

 w r as : That table grapes of first quality could be grown more 

 abundantly and surely 1-J- above New York city, than else 

 where in the country. They will not reach so perfect a matu 

 rity, perhaps, as in some warmer sections, but they keep better 

 throughout winter, which is of all the most important point. 

 If ripened too early grapes lose flavor, and if the grape-grower 

 is so far north that he is forced to lay down his vines through 

 the winter, he is amply repaid for his trouble in increased fla 

 vor and quality of product. The best of the wine-growing re 

 gion in Germany is that w T here laying down in winter is requi 

 site. A favorable exposure makes a difference of almost, if not 

 quite, one degree of latitude. The best methods of laying 

 down vary ; a mere covering of boards is enough to guard 

 against slight frosts, but with the additional precaution of cov 

 ering with sand one is perfectly safe in the worst places. But 

 a slight covering is necessary just enough to guard against 

 having the sand wash or blow off and expose the vine, and two 

 or three inches of depth is enough. The whole vine should be 

 covered. If the vine is as large as a man's arm, it will still 

 readily lie down, if it has been so treated from the first. Milo 

 carried the bull because he commenced carrying it when a calf, 

 and continued the practice. A large vine is not so liable to 

 destruction by frost as a small one. At six cents per pound, 

 an acre of grapes, prepared in the best manner, will yield an 

 nually $400, at an expense of $100. For vineyard culture, we 

 can have only 75 per cent, of perpendicular vine area to 100 of 

 surface area of the ground. That is to say, if our vines are set 

 6 feet apart, they must not be suffered to grow more than 4 

 feet high. Sunshine is more necessary to a vine than actual 

 surface-room; and if the vines grow more than the 75 per 



