PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARiMERS' CLUB. 225 



" The castle crag of Drachenfels 



Frowns o'er the wide and winding Rhine, 



Whose breast of waters broadly swells 



Between the banks which bear the vine, 



And hills all rich with blossomed trees, 



And fields which promise corn and wine. 



The river nobly foams and flows — 

 . The charm of this enchanted ground. 



And all its thousand turns disclose 



Some fresher beauty varying I'ound." 



We went down to a white farm bouse. Everything was neat, if not ele- 

 gant. There were flowers in boxes and pots, and fine pictures on the wall. 

 The wife spoke a little English. Some of the men did but little better. 

 But I was welcome. After a little we went down to the wine cellar. 

 When one moves here he goes down or up. Fancy a large railroad culvert 

 35 feet long, 24 broad and 15 high, walled across one end, where are two 

 flues for ventilation, and which is reached by a passage or entry eight feet 

 wide, through two strong doors, and you have a wine cellar. Over this 

 cellar is a building which looks like a barn ; in this is the wine press ; a 

 pipe and a hose lead through the top wall of the cellar into the casks below. 

 The cost of these cellars is from $250 to $500. Nothing, whatever, is kept 

 in them except wine. The casks are on each side ; one walks between 

 them. They are of various sizes ; few smaller than a barrel ; many hold 

 600 gallons, or 20 barrels, and cost from $50 to $60 each. 



A tumbler was at hand, and wine was drawn from a cask near the top. 

 I took a few sips and handed it to the one next me. It was about a month 

 old. It differed in taste from the wine I used to drink. At first it had the 

 taste of good cider, then came a bitter flavor, and then that of the grape 

 itself. It was dark red and clear, and made from Norton's vineyard. 

 Their largest stocks are of this kind. Another cask was tapped, and the 

 glass handed me. This was the same kind, but made a little differently. 

 I called it very good. They then tapped another cask, and the glass came 

 round. This was the Concord, and excellent. Still another cask was tried. 

 I thought I had enough, and told them so, when they uttered a storm of 

 good natured words, informing me that I had drank nothing, and that easily 

 I could take two bottles. I tasted as before ; they said I was not taking 

 my share ; they were so kind I did not want to offend them, and took 

 another swallow or so. They were pleased, and tapped another cask. This 

 was the Catawba, a white wine, very good, a little in the hard cider or 

 champagne style, but of the true Catawba flavor. This matter seemed to 

 be going rather far, and I began to count the casks. There were twenty- 

 five. I knew not what would take place if I had to go through the whole, 

 and I told them they had got me in a close corner. They said yes, that 

 there was no help for it, and went on tapping. After a little I began to be 

 one among them, and let them know I could talk German a little, " Ach 1 

 wie sc'on und zart er ist,' said I. " Good," said they. Then came their 

 Herbemont and Cattawissa with variations, and then a kind at first without 

 a name, which was the best of all; it was the Norton, made after the grapes 

 had lain several weeks on straw, and which, in the old countries, is called 

 " straw wine." It requires twenty pounds of grapes, at least, for a gallon. 



[Am. LvsT.l P 



