4 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



is well adapted for a vineyard cannot afford to use it for any- 

 thing else. Experiments are sufficiently numerous to show 

 that, even with the varieties of grapes we already possess, vine- 

 yards may be made exceedingly profitable. That of Dr. Under- 

 bill, at Croton Point, on the Hudson River, is, probably, one of 

 the most profitable in the country, but it is so largely devoted 

 to the production of wine that it can hardly be referred to as an 

 example. Dr. Underbill has between fifty and sixty acres of 

 vines in bearing at Croton Point, and several additional acres at 

 his farm three miles distant. He employs from ten to thirteen 

 men through the season, and during the vintage ; a number of 

 women also are employed to assist in selecting and packing the 

 fruit for market, and assorting that which is made into wine, so 

 that no unripe berry shall enter the wine press. The exact 

 amount received for the crop of any particular year cannot 

 easily be ascertained, since the wine is not sold until it is four 

 years old. But the statistics are sufficient to show that the 

 profits must be very great. About half of each crop is sold in 

 the New York market, and the other half is converted into 

 wine. The vintage of 1863 gave 5,550 gallons.* In 1864 the 

 product was 6,000 gallons ; in 1865 it amounted to 7,000 gal- 

 lons ; while in 1866 the total was diminished in consequence of 

 the severe winter of 1865-6. 



It must be admitted that the situation" of this vineyard is 

 much more favorable than can be secured ordinarily ; and in 

 the vicinity of such a market as that of New York there arc 

 advantages which cannot be possessed by every one. But the 

 example is an interesting one on many accounts. 



The practicability of cultivating grapes in vineyards, and on 

 a large scale, in our Commonwealth, is demonstrated by Mr. 

 Bull and his enterprising neighbors at Concord. There are in 

 that town more than twenty acres of vineyards. Experiments 

 are also being made in Haverhill, which will furnish additional 

 proof, we doubt not, both of the possibility and the profitable- 

 ness of this crop. Indeed, we hope ere long to see every suit- 

 able spot occupied, and the county of Essex adorned with vine- 

 yards, beautiful and remunerative as those which grace the 

 slopes of the Jura, as seen from Lake Geneva. 



* The pure juice of the grape. We understand that Dr. Underhill does not 

 adulterate his wine with sugar, or water, or alcohol, or any form of drugs. 



