AND WINE MAKING. 29 



posed to the prevailing winds in summer, our best loca- 

 tions. These are also generally free from frost late in 

 spring and early in fall, which is another important con- 

 sideration for the vineyardist. The soil should be natur- 

 ally well drained, as the vine does not like to have " wet 

 feet;" therefore, tenacious sub-soils, so-called "hard- 

 pans," should be avoided. I have seen equally good 

 results in limestone as in sandstone soils, though it will 

 generally hold good that a sandy, and at the same time 

 moderately rich soil, is better adapted to most of our 

 varieties than heavy clay. We have thousands of such 

 locations, and no where have I seen more beautiful grapes 

 than on the sandstone hills around Warrensburg, in this 

 State, (a neighborhood noted at the same time for its 

 famous sandstone quarries,) although the hillsides, at first 

 sight, appear rather poor. The professional grape-grower, 

 therefore, can find abundant scope, and should certainly 

 look after such locations. The amateur, however, who 

 only wishes to grow grapes on a small scale, and for home 

 use, can easily make his soil light by an addition of sand, 

 and occasionally lime. Let him choose the spot on his 

 grounds which seems best adapted to his purpose, and 

 although he may not grow as rich grapes, yet he will 

 grow them good enough, and abundant enough, if he 

 chooses the proper varieties. 



