CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 21 



the lots are small, containing from a quarter of an acre 

 to an acre each : though the celebrated Steinberg, belong- 

 ing to the Duke of Nassau, contains about a hundred 

 acres ; and the Johannisberg, belonging to Prince Metter- 

 nich, contains about sixty acres. In this section of the 

 Rhine, there has been no instance of a sale for many 

 years. In case a division takes place among heirs, and 

 the vineyard is too small to divide, it is appraised at 

 eight thousand dollars the morgen, which is somewhat 

 less than an acre ; and the retainer pays a due proportion 

 to each of the heirs. It will be observed that the above 

 prices are for lands in the most famous districts. It 

 should also be remembered that the percentage of in- 

 come on these investments, though it may content a 

 European, would be far from satisfactory to an American. 

 Indeed, it will be found that the European methods and 

 estimates will all require essential modification when ap- 

 plied to this country. 



The first attempts to cultivate the vine in the United 

 States were confined to the European varieties. The 

 London Company planted vineyards in Virginia prior to 

 the year 1620, and with such encouraging prospects, that 

 they imported several vignerons from France in the year 

 1030. Many succeeding attempts were made by Penn, 



