THE BORDEAUX WINE DISTRICT. 99 



now and then some olive and more mulberry trees, but bay was 

 the principal product. We saw some well-loaded fruit-trees, and 

 in the distance some mountains which exclusively produce fruit, 

 almonds, and vines. Till Secoloux there were more or less mul- 

 berry-trees and vines. There was some grain, but the soil was very 

 inferior, being of a poor gray color. At Talasco we changed cars. 

 The land and cultivation are the same as above until Mandeuil. 



A^lsjyies. — To the right the country was rolling, and planted with 

 mulberry -tregs. There were many young plantations. The olive- 

 trees extend for miles and miles. We now and then passed some 

 almond-trees. On the left side the country was more planted 

 with grain. There were, however, many mulberry and olive trees 

 in the same fields, either in rows or on the edges. After passing 

 the Ehone vines are almost exclusively planted. Sometimes there 

 are olive or mulberry trees having vines between them, but the 

 practice is not general. I saw a plow, by which land was sub- 

 soiled, drawn by five mules, at the last place. Wherever the soil 

 was red, vines were cultivated. The table-land this side of Talas- 

 co, as far as the eye can reach, is planted with vines, olive-trees, 

 and mulberry-trees. 



Milhaud. — Plantations of vines, with olive-trees between. The 

 species of vine is the blue grape. 



Ucliaud. — On the right-hand side are rolling, rocky, low hills, 

 planted with vines and olives. On the left is a plain. It is well 

 elevated, and planted with olive and mulberry trees. The vint- 

 age has already here begun, and goes on speedily. 



Vergere. — On either side, for miles and miles, there extends a 

 plain, planted with vines, olives, and some mulberry trees. 



Galargues. — The land is similar in aspect to that above. 



Lunel. — This place is famous for its sweet wine, which is made 

 in the same way, and is the rival of Frontignan wine. The soil, 

 wherever vines are planted, is red. Its aspect is the same as above. 



We arrived at Montpellier, where we stopped to see the sur- 

 rounding country and the method of here making wine. Imme- 

 diately on our arrival we set out to visit the olive-presses. We 

 staid here over night, and started at eight o'clock for Bordeaux. 



Villeneuve. — There were vines on each side of us, and all culti- 

 vated in the same way as mine in California. There were few 

 olives and mulberries. 



Vice-Merval.—^h.Q valley has been getting narrower. We pass- 

 ed through vines and some meadows which were well loaded. 



