258 GRAPE CULTURE AND 



casks in the second, as also from the second story to the first, 

 can be done without pumping or handling, simply by gravity; 

 also from the presses to the casks below, thus saving a great 

 deal of labor. A staircase connects second and third floors 

 inside. The lower cellar keeps a temperature of about 60 

 F. summer and winter, the second story varies from 55 to- 

 75 U , mean temperature about 70. As stated before, I have 

 not had a single case of imperfect fermentation there for five 

 years, and therefore consider this, for our latitude and cli- 

 mate, as near perfect as can be, to make good, sound wines. 

 But, while it should be the ultimate aim and object for 

 every grape grower to make his own wine, let me add a word 

 of caution here to those who, like myself, are not blessed with 

 abundant means. Do not build your cellar and make wine 

 before you are able to pay for it. To build a cellar, and get 

 casks, press and all the necessary utensils, generally costs 

 more than the most minute calculation will show, and it is 

 not safe to run into debt, when you are not fully sure, that 

 you can sell your wine promptly at fair prices and thus pay 

 them off. I have seen too many failures, resulting from ap- 

 parently safe calculations, to advise you to burden yourself 

 with debts, to secure temporary advantages. Rather sell 

 your crop of grapes to the next winery, as long as you can 

 obtain paying prices ; and then, when you have the money 

 laid by, build a cellar and get casks according to your means, 

 to which you can add as you become able to do so. You 

 can make a few casks for your own use, and store them in a 

 house cellar, or shed even, in our temperate climate ; but do 

 not speculate rashly, and involve yourself beyond your depth, 

 on seemingly safe calculations and inviting probabilities. 

 Your crop may fall below your estimation, or you may not 

 find ready sale for your wine at prices that will pay ; and the 

 result of a good many such ventures has been, that the banks 

 owned the cellars and the vineyards and homesteads also, be- 



