70 GRAPE CULTURE AND WINE-MAKING. 



This lever is a long oak pole, within fifteen feet of the press. 

 There is an upright on a pivot. This upright has holes made 

 through, long enough to receive levers to turn the same. It acts 

 altogether like a capstan on a vessel. The presses are simple, 

 and susceptible of great improvement. After inspecting every 

 thing in the cellar and press-house, we went to take a country 

 dinner in the cooper's room. It was served up by a rosy-cheeked 

 girl. After giving her two thalers, and the cooper who served 

 the wine in the cellar five thalers, we left for Johannisberg, the 

 palace of the Prince Metternich. 



The palace of the prince is about two hours' drive from Eber- 

 bach. The country lying between these two celebrated vine- 

 yards gradually rises from the Eiver Ehine. With the exception 

 of Steinberg and its immediate vicinity, the soil is a very red clay, 

 heavily intermixed with gravel. This is the same soil as Sonoma 

 possesses by thousands of acres, and in other parts of California 

 there are millions. Of course, every spot of earth is planted here ; 

 and so economical are they with the ground, that the walks are 

 not more than three or four feet wide. The vineyard lots are 

 small, from a quarter of an acre to two acres. I asked the di- 

 rector the price of one morgen. He answered that they have no 

 price, as it is all owned by rich people of all countries, none of 

 whom will sell. For many years there has been no instance of 

 a sale. If a division takes place among heirs, and the vineyard 

 is so small that it can not be divided, the morgen is valued at 

 20,000 guldens, and the retainer of the vineyard has to pay over 

 to the other heir his part of the money. 



After passing several prosperous villages, we arrived at last at 

 the palace. The courteous steward received us very kindly. Mr. 

 Joh. Herzmansky has been for many years the manager of this 

 beautiful property. The palace is about three miles from the 

 Eiver Ehine, and is situated upon an elevation. As you step 

 upon the terrace in front of the palace, a grand and beautiful view 

 meets your gaze. The Prince may boast of the view from his 

 palace, as I can from my ranch in Sonoma ; or, rather, I may boast 

 of having scenery equal to that of the Prince Metternich. It is 

 true that I have no Eiver Ehine, but in its place there lies the St. 

 Pablo Bay. 



The vineyard encircles the palace and contains sixty-five mor- 

 gen. Some spots arc newly planted; some lie fallow, as here 

 also the vines will produce for thirty years only, when they are 



