CHAPTER NINE 

 TONS OF GRAPES 



1 HE one fruit that, next to apples, should con- 

 stitute a prime article of diet, is the grape. Not 

 only in the vineyard can we have tons, but literally 

 tons more on our buildings, and still other tons on 

 our trees, rockeries, stone walls, fences, stumps, 

 and arbors. The best grapes can be made to 

 climb trees and cover our barns as easily as the 

 wild ones. In this way utility combines with beauty. 

 Vines grow quickly and come soon to bearing. 

 If the market is poor, eat grapes, and let the chil- 

 dren have all they desire. It is cheaper and better 

 food than meat and vegetables, and they never tire 

 of it. I recommend that you go out before break- 

 fast and sample a half dozen sorts; repeat the ex- 

 periment before dinner, and, if the digestion is 

 poor, take nothing else for supper. Take an en- 

 thusiastic friend with you, and make notes, dis- 

 cuss and compare, and so your vineyard will be an 

 annex to your library and study. 



