90 THE GKAPE CULTUEIST. 



they absorb heat in such quantities during summer and 

 give it off slowly in the fall; this affects the surrounding 

 country very materially by preventing early frosts. In 

 gpring, the water being cold, it keeps the atmosphere cool 

 for quite a distance from the shore, and thereby prevents 

 vegetation starting so early as it otherwise would. 



This, I have always observed, was the case on Long 

 Island ; we seldom have frost as early in the fall as they 

 do a few miles back on the mainland, and vegetation does 

 not come forward so early in spring as to be cut off by late 

 frosts. 



When the soil is sandy or gravelly, it will require an ap- 

 plication of some organic materials, either in the form of 

 barnyard manure, muck, or leaf-mold. The latter two can 

 often be readily obtained, where the former, in any con- 

 siderable quantity, would be out of the question, or would 

 be so expensive that it would very much lessen, if not en- 

 tirely absorb, the profits of the vineyard. There are 

 thousands of acres of sandy or gravelly lands in the Eastern 

 States that would make the very best vineyards in the 

 country, simply by applying the enriching materials that 

 are to be found in abundance in their immediate vicinity. 



Strange to say, these lands are now considered almost 

 worthless, because barnyard or special manures (as they 

 are called) can not be had sufficiently cheap to make them 

 profitable for cultivation. While a sandy soil may not 

 naturally produce the most luxuriant growth, it is certain 

 that it produces fruit of the richest quality. Such soils are 

 moderately favorable to the growth of the vine, are easily 

 worked, and do not retain an excess of moisture, as they 

 are thoroughly underdrained by nature. 



Both granitic and limestone soils are excellent for the 

 vine, and as they are usually what is termed strong soil, 

 they need but little more than a slight change in their me- 

 chanical condition, which is readily accomplished by plow- 

 ing or trenching. And here let me remark, that very often 



