CROPS AND PROFITS. 183 



which positions do not abound, where a vine may 

 clamber, and feed upon resources that are worse 

 than lost. The southern or eastern front of an old 

 out-building ; a staring, naked wall (on which grapes 

 ripen admirably) ; a great unseemly boulder, from 

 under which the rootlets will pluck out the elements 

 of the fairest fruit ; a back-court, where washings 

 of sinks are wasting ; the palings of a poultry-yard 

 all these are positions, where, with small temptation, 

 the mantling-vine will " creep luxuriant." 



I have not alluded to the Delaware, because, thus 

 far, my plants have been poor ones, and my experi- 

 ence unsuccessful. At best, however, the vine is of a 

 more delicate temper than those named, and requires 

 larger care and richer dressing. Under these con- 

 ditions, I believe the grape to be all, which its friends 

 claim of a delicate and highly aromatic flavor, so 

 early as to be secure against frosts, and giving a /set- 

 ter promise than any other, of a really good domes- 

 tic wine. 



I am surprised to find in the course of my drives 

 back in the country, how many of our old-time far- 

 mers are applying themselves, in a modest and some- 

 what furtive way, to wine-making. It is true that 

 they bring under contribution a great many foxy 

 swamp varieties, and are not over-careful in regard 

 to ^ripeness ; but faults of acidity they correct by a 



