THE VINEYARDS OF THE WORLD. 39 

 requires blasting before the vines can be 

 planted. 



The lower valley of the Moselle offers one 

 of the most picturesque and delightful 

 sights it is possible to see. Nowhere in the 

 world can more perfectly ideal scenery be 

 found than in the Moselle valley on a fine 

 summer day. The winding river sparkling 

 in the sun ; the steep vine-clad hills crowned 

 with secular oaks ; the quaint little villages 

 nestling among vineyards by the riverside ; 

 the gable roofs of old houses closely grouped 

 round some sturdy grey church, the grim 

 tower of some ancient castle standing 

 above it all on some inaccessible rock ; there 

 is no vine-land which possesses greater 

 beauty or greater charm. 



The Rhine. 



The valley of the Rhine is not so pictur- 

 esque as that of the Moselle, but it has more 



