CROPS AND PROFITS 



its matted myrtle roots; and, if fairly accom- 

 plished, the winter's rains may drive new 

 seams from top to bottom, carrying the light 

 mould far down under walls, and into useless 

 places, — leaving harsh yellow scars, that will 

 defy the mellowest June sunshine. 



A city friend, with city aptitude, suggests — 

 terraces; and instances the pretty ones over- 

 hung with vines, which the traveller may see 

 along the banks of the Rhine. 



I answer kindly; and in the same vein — 

 suggest that such scattered rocks, as are not 

 needed, may be thrown into the shape of an 

 old watch tower — with Bishop Hatto's for a 

 model — to mimic the Rhine ruins. 



"Charming! and when the grapes are 



ripe, drop me a line." And my city friend 

 plucks a bit of penny-royal, and nips it com- 

 placently. 



Terracing might be done in a rude but sub- 

 stantial way, at the cost of about fifteen hun- 

 dred dollars the acre. This might do at Johan- 

 nisberg; but hardly, in a large way, in Con- 

 necticut. Crops must needs be exceeding large 

 upon such terraces, to compete successfully 

 with those of a thriving "forehanded" man, 

 who farms upon a land capital of less than a 

 hundred dollars to the acre. 



129 



