328 [As^rMBL? 



standing was, I was to furnish all grape cuttings and fruit trees want- 

 ed. 1 paid for trenching and benching portions of the ground, and 

 gave them such aid as was necessary at the outset. I was to have 

 half the wine at the press, and half the amount of sales of the oth- 

 er fruit. All other articles raised on the place were for their own be- 

 nefit. The grapes were generally neglected, as it took some years to 

 bring them into bearing, whilst the potatoes and sourcrout yielded 

 an immediate income. My first tenant instead of having a crop of 

 grapes the third or fourth year, had his crop the ninth year, when 

 his share yielded him $200. The tenth year, his wine yielded him 

 about $800. So large a sura, and all in silver bewildered the old 

 man's imagination. He made me his best bow, went into the inte- 

 rior, bought land, and began a vineyard on his own account. His 

 latitude was too far north for the grape, and after six years absence 

 the old man returned nearly pennyless, and began a new vineyard on 

 four acres of ground, adjoining the old one, then and now under 

 charge of one of his sons-in-law. He will next season make some 

 wine; but to cheer the old man's spirits, we have enabled him oc- 

 casionally to take his accustomed glass of wine, and sing his old 

 song under the shade of his favorite tree. 



Most of my tenants have occupied their present vmeyards from 

 10 to 25 years, and are contented and happy, if not rich. One of 

 them who works harder than any of the others, and keeps his fami- 

 ly at work, and devotes most of his time to his vineyard, made from 

 • his wine last year, $1,400. But I would not recommend the cultiva- 

 tion of the grape for profit to persons wbo hire all and work none. 



Our wines have always met a ready sale in the city, and bring from 

 $1 to $1.50 per gallon. The grape culture is now spreading rapid- 

 ly, and we must look out for a market abroad. The price will depend 

 on the manufacturer. In the wine countries of Europe it is a stand- 

 ing proverb that, " a poor man cannot make good wine." The rea- 

 son is obvious. He is compelled to sell his wine when new, and 

 cannot devote the necessary attention, and wait till his wine is five 

 or six years of age, before he sells it. 



It is there also said, that all depends on soil, and exposure; and 

 whilst the wine at one vineyard brings $12 per dozen, the wine of 

 an adjoining vineyard will not command one quarter the sum. In 

 this doctrine I place no reliance. With us, I find the quality chiefly 

 depends on the care and attention of the manufacture. Wine re- 

 quires much greater skill, and care in the manufacture, than is requi- 



