132 MY VINEYARD. 



the autumn frosts that peaches can be ripened upon its 

 shores, while at the distance of only two or three miles, 

 they are almost always destroyed. In one or two instan- 

 ces, also, where the corn crop has been destroyed a mile 

 or two from the lake by extraordinarily early frosts, in 

 the immediate vicinity of the lake it has been fully matur- 

 ed. Such a locality would doubtless be congenial to the 

 grape. And I can scarcely conceive of a j^leasanter spot 

 for a rural home, with all its quiet enjoyments, than the 

 shoies of some of our beautiful inland lakes, where the 

 chief employment of the husbandman might be the culture 

 of the vine. 



WHO SHOULD PLANT GRAPES? 



. The grape is so luscious a fruit, and grape-growing so 

 pleasant, and withal, so profitable an employment, that I 

 would say to every one who is the owner of a farm, or 

 even a garden of the smallest dimensions, try a few vines: 

 the task will be but slight, and it may lead to more suc- 

 cessful ^results than you have any conception of. True, in 

 very many instances, failure w^ould be the result ; but the 

 chances of success are numerous enough to warrant the 

 undertaking. 



There is no plant like the grape to adapt itself to all 

 sorts of localities. No place could suit it better than the 

 sunny side of a building, near to the wall. Here it would 

 luxuriate, searching out its food from places which other 



