86 MY VINEYARD. 



otherwise be worked. The ordinary training on trellises 

 is employed. Slats are frequently used in place of wire. 

 Most of the grapes are shipped to New York. In some 

 vineyards none of the grapes are boxed, all being made in- 

 to wine. 



Doubtless the stones, which are found so abundantly on 

 the surface of the soil, explain to some extent the success 

 of grape-growing in this region. They become warmed 

 by the sun, and the heat is thrown back directly upon the 

 vines and fruit, hastening the process of ripening. Re- 

 taining their heat longer than ordinary soil, and radiating 

 it slowly by night, the temperature of the vineyard through- 

 out the growing season is higher than it otherwise would 

 be. Doubtless the water on the lake, as well as the slope 

 of the land, which has a southern and south-eastern ex- 

 posure, also exerts a beneficial influence. 



As the result of my observation and experience in re- 

 gard to soils, I conclude that moderately heavy clay, 

 abounding in lime, is best, but that the grape will succeed 

 in almost any soil when other things are favorable. 



IMPORTANCE OF SITUATION. 



On the other hand, I consider that the situation is the 

 most important point of all. Those situations will be 

 most successful where the seasons are prolonged by natural 

 causes. Thus, at Kelly's Island, and along the south shore 

 of the lake, the seasons are prolonged three or four weeks 



