196 AMERICAN GRAPE GROWING 



the first winter. If this is the case, it will keep even in a 

 temperature of 65, though 45 would be better. But if 

 one wishes to take up wine making as a business, and 

 manufacture several thousand gallons, a special building 

 for the purpose is necessary. 



A steep hillside, sloping towards the north, is the 

 most suitable locality, and the most economical and 

 most convenient building is one of three stories. The 

 lower one, for keeping the wine when finished, should be 

 completely underground, the second story, intended for 

 the fermenting cellar, partially so, at least, and the third, 

 intended for the press house, can be entirely above ground, 

 so that the grapes can be conveniently carried into it. 

 The lower story should be well walled and, if possible, 

 arched with stone, though this is not indispensable. If 

 arched, it should be about 18 feet wide by 12 feet high 

 from the floor to the middle of the arch, so that there is 

 room for casks 5 feet long in two rows, one on each side, 

 space enough between the casks and the wall to pass be- 

 hind them, and a passage of 5 to 6 feet in the center, to 

 allow space for drawing off wine, moving casks, etc. 

 The length can be suited to the wants of the builder ; the 

 entrance should, if possible, be even with the ground, 

 and if built into the hillside, it can easily be made so, 

 and the back part of the cellar slightly elevated, so that 

 it will drain towards the door. It is best to have a room 

 in front, so as to keep out the cold air ; this can be 

 used for storing empty casks, cellar utensils, etc. The 

 cellar should be well ventilated on the sides by air flues 

 built in the wall, and constructed somewhat like chim- 

 neys, commencing at the bottom and terminating above 

 the arch. These are to be closed by a grate and trap 

 door, so that they can be opened at will, to admit air and 

 light. The cellar is to be closed by strong double doors. 

 Place on each side two rows of beams, lengthwise, as 

 layers for the casks, one to be about 2 feet from the wall, 



