84 MY VINEYARD. 



is level and smooth, except here and there the foundation 

 rock crops out above the surface. 



The great advantage of this locality is the influence of 

 the lake. The ice chills the air in the spring so much as 

 to keep back all vegetation until danger from frosts is 

 past. During the summer the water becomes warmed, 

 and at the approach of fall gives off its heat, so that frosts 

 are kept back for two or three weeks. The long warm 

 autumns which thus result, are exactly adapted to ripening 

 the grape in its greatest perfection. 



All along the southern shore of the lake are scores of lo- 

 calities where the grape has been found to succeed admir- 

 ably. While ordinary farms are worth fifty to sixty dol- 

 lars per acre, good grape land is frequently selling for 

 about four hundred dollars. It is probable that these 

 prices are higher than the profits of the business will war- 

 rant, especially when we take into consideration the great 

 rapidity with which the business is increasing. 



As the production of grapes becomes more extensive, 

 and the markets are fully supplied, it can hardly be ex- 

 pected that present prices will be maintained. It is 

 claimed, however, that the amount of really good grape 

 land is so limited, that the business can not be increased 

 to such an extent as to materially reduce the present pro- 

 fits. It 4s to be hoped that this is not the case, and I do 

 not think it is. New regions where the grape succeeds 



