434 AMERICAN GKAPE CULTURE. 



In the second, a small vacant space is left at the 

 top, and the apparatus of Gervais is used, or a 

 sand-bag, or something similar, laid over the 

 hole ; in which case the sediment sinks to the 

 bottom when fermentation ceases. The appa- 

 ratus of Gervais is seen in Fig. 174. In the en- 

 graving the cask is represented as standing on 

 one end, this position being necessary to se- 

 cure the advantages of its fixtures ; but ordi- 

 narily it rests on the side in a " cradle " pre- 

 pared for the purpose. The outlet of the cock 

 is covered at 5 with a perforated diaphragm, 

 to prevent the settlings from running off with 

 the wine. 



In wine-making countries the must from rich, 

 well-ripened grapes goes through fermentation 

 so surely that acetous fermentation is not feared. 

 There are, however, large quantities of grapes 

 grown from kinds that are not rich, and not 

 calculated for making good wine, but which 

 will make poor light wine in such quantity as 

 to yield a valuable return, if it can be done with- 

 out vinegar fermentation. In very bad seasons, 

 the best kinds, from imperfect ripening, fall into 

 the same defective condition in a greater or less 

 degree. Overcropping and premature cropping, 

 there as here, are constantly producing their 



