9J: THE AMERICAN VINE-DRESSER'S GUIDE. 



stick of siilplmr two or tliree inches long in 

 each one. See, above all things, that the 

 hoops be well fitted on these vessels, with- 

 out which you would be exposed to a total 

 loss. 



If you do not wish to sell your wines im- 

 mediately, put them into foudres^ that is to 

 say, large casks capable of containing at least 

 twenty-five hundred or three thousand gal- 

 lons ; the larger the foudre the better, pro- 

 vided it be quite full ; wine keeps cooler in 

 them and ripens better. Nevertheless, in 

 particular years, when wine could only be sold 

 at a low price, and to avoid the expense of 

 foudres and casks, I have seen wine put into 

 ordinary tubs, the opening being closed with 

 boards covered w^ith earth to prevent the air 

 from getting in and injuring the wine. By 

 this means the purchase of casks may be dis- 

 pensed with until the time of sale ; and, be- 



