CROPS AND PROFITS. 117 



places, leaving harsh yellow scars, that will defy 

 the mellowest June sunshine. 



A city friend, with city aptitude, suggests ter- 

 races ; and instances the pretty ones overhung with 

 vines, which the traveller may see along the banks 

 of the Rhine. 



I answer kindly ; and in the same vein suggest 

 that such scattered rocks, as are not needed, 

 may be thrown into the shape of an old watch 

 tower with Bishop Hatto's for a model to mimic 

 the Rhine ruins. 



" Charming ! and when the grapes are ripe, 



drop me a line." And my city friend plucks a bit of 

 penny-royal, and nips it complacently. 



Terracing might be done in a rude but substantial 

 way, at the cost of about fifteen hundred dollars the 

 acre. This might do at Johannisberg ; but hardly, in 

 a large way, in Connecticut. Crops must needs be 

 exceeding large upon such terraces, to compete suc- 

 cessfully with those of a thriving ' forehanded ' man, 

 who farms upon a land capital of less than a hundred 

 dollars to the acre. 



I abandoned the design of terraces. And yet, 

 there are times when I regale myself for hours 

 together, with the pleasant fancy of my city friend. 

 His terraces should be well lichened over now ; and 

 I seem to see brimming on the successive shelves 



