18 GEOLOGICAL REPORT. 



most conclusively that the excess of moisture in the valleys 

 must be considerable and permanent. The valleys are covered 

 with numerous and extensive lakes, sloughs, and forests of 

 rank growth and vast extent, besides the broad rivers which 

 flow through them ; while the table lands are almost destitute 

 of lakes and ponds, and but partially covered by a very sparse 

 and much less vigorous growth of timber; and besides, they 

 occupy an elevation several hundred feet above the valleys. 



No fears, therefore, need be entertained that these obstacles 

 will prevent the entire success of vine culture in Missouri, 

 should 'our atmosphere even continue as moist as at present. 

 But we may expect much improvement in this respect, as it is 

 fully established by past experience, that the settlement of a 

 country, and the opening of a soil to cultivation, lessen the 

 amount of rain and moisture in the atmosphere. 



Notwithstanding the many difficulties our vine-dressers have 

 had to contend with, and notwithstanding some of their vine- 

 yards are not, to say the least, in the most favorable localities 

 in the State, their success has been very flattering. 



The vineyards of Boonville have yielded, the present season, 

 about 6,000 gallons,* worth $12,000. Five acres gave a clear 

 profit of $2,000, or $400 per acre. Mr. Haas made 1,550 gal- 

 lons from three acres. 



The vintage of Hermann was about 100,000 gallons, from 

 less than 200 acres. At $1.00 per gallon which is much less 

 than the value it will give a profit of at least $400 per acre, 

 or of $80,000 on the 200 acres in cultivation. 



One small vineyard at Hamburg, Mr. Joseph Stuby's, yielded 

 over 1,000 gallons per acre. ; 



The entire cost of vineyards, preparing the soil, setting and 

 training the vines until they come into bearing, varies from 

 $200 to $300 per acre. 



Annual cost of cultivation after ..$50 to $60 per a< 







r. , . .. _. -^~~ 



acre ; 

 Ten pef cent, on first cost $20 to $30 per acre ; 



Total expense for each year 870 to $90 per acre ; 



,1 , 



so that an income of $100 per annum for each acre is Sufficient 

 to pay the interest on the first cost and the expense of cultiva- 

 tion 



Judging from the statistics before me, I would suppose all 

 our vineyards have yielded an average of at least 250 gallons 



