16 AMERICAN GRAPE CULTURE. 



era exposure is best, some claiming a preemi- 

 nence for one facing southeast, and others again, 

 but fewer in number, one looking to the south- 

 west. Our own preference, all things consider- 

 ed, is for one facing the southeast. But, after 

 all, the exposure must, in some degree, be de- 

 termined by the local surroundings. A vine- 

 yard may be safely planted with an exposure 

 ranging any where from east to south and west ; 

 but we should hesitate to plant one looking 

 due north, if we proposed to make wine. We 

 might, under certain circumstances, plant one 

 thus situated, and expect to get some good 

 grapes for the table, but ripening a few days 

 later than those having a southern exposure. 



The objects to be attained by exposure con- 

 sist chiefly in the admission to the soil and 

 vines of a due proportion of the sun's vivifying 

 rays, and shelter from prevailing cold winds ; 

 and here, again, we must bring to our aid the 

 exercise of a discerning judgment. 



Shelter. This is so intimately connected with 

 location and exposure, that we shall treat of it 

 here. It is a subject of very great importance 

 in its bearings on the well-being of the vine- 

 yard, and one to which, strangely enough, vine- 



