Notes and Gleanings, 99 



that is tedious even when produced by unvarying luxuriant vegetation. In this 

 part of Germany are to be found scenery and landscapes of universally acknowl- 

 edged beauty. Heidelberg, on the Neckar, an old, picturesque town, surrounded 

 by high wooded hills (on their slopes is its ruined castle, one of the finest 

 remains to be met with, giving from the esplanade in front of it wide views, with 

 the river flowing through the valley in front), and Baden-Baden on the sides 

 and summit of rounded hills, with high hills covered with a forest, in the midst 

 of which are the remains of a large feudal castle as a background, and in front 

 a green valley with a stream flowing through it, are among the scenes that one 

 who has seen them would most regret not to have seen of any that will most 

 probably be met with, at least on the hither side of the Alps. 



Grapes are grown to a very considerable extent in some parts of Germany, 

 especially in the soutliern portions, in Rhenish Bavaria in particular, from which 

 wine of an esteemed quality is made. 



Although commercial pursuits and manufacturing and mechanical industry 

 receive a due share of attention, yet Germany must be considered as more 

 especially an agricultural country, for which its wide interior plains seem par- 

 ticularly suited. Upon these, wheat, rye, and oats are raised largely. Upon the 

 rather light or sandy soil in the more northerly part of its territory, a great 

 breadth of land is devoted to the raising of rye ; this grain being largely con- 

 sumed in all parts of the country as bread-stuff. Much land is devoted to the 

 raising of grass for hay, of which two crops are cut yearly. Potatoes, too, are 

 raised in very considerable quantities, together with sugar-beets, cabbages, and 

 other vegetables. Hops are cultivated to some extent, and a good deal of land 

 is appropriated to the raising of tobacco. I have sometimes seen in the south- 

 ern part of the country Indian corn cultivated to a limited extent, both as grain 

 and for fodder ; the kind raised being a small-growing variety. Lucern is 

 raised to some extent for fodder ; and, occasionally, small fields of poppies are 

 seen. The country is wholly unenclosed ; and although, after the harvest has 

 been gathered, herds of cattle and flocks of sheep may be seen at pasture, yet, 

 these being watched by herdsmen and shepherds, the necessity for enclosures is 

 obviated. 



I do not now remember ever to have seen any agricultural machines in any 

 part of the country. Such may be in use ; but I have not seen them. Tliis is 

 somewhat surprising ; for froi-p its character, being level and smooth, a great 

 portion of the country seems peculiarly adapted to the use of mowing and reap- 

 ing machines. Yet, although I passed through much of the country while the 

 cutting of the grass and reaping of the grain was in process, I never saw ma- 

 chines applied to these purposes ; but, on the contrary, the use of the scythe 

 and sickle was universal. Both men and women are seen together in the fields, 

 employed in the labors of husbandry ; and it did not appear as if the lighter 

 share was always reserved for the latter. Horses, oxen, and cows seem used for 

 draught indillerently : very frequently, a single ox or cow is attached to a cart, 

 working in a pair of fills, as horses are used with us. Most of the ploughs that 

 I saw were very rudely constructed, — a mere rough, straight timber, to which a 

 share was attached, with the end of this beam resting on a pair of low wheels, and 



