Choice of a Situation for a Vineyard. 1 7 



" Throughout the month of May, the temperature of the 

 water taken from about one foot beneath the surface, is but 

 seven degrees above the freezing point. This is owing to 

 the continued flow of waters from the melting ice of the 

 upper lakes. It gradually rises to that of the atmosphere in 

 the latter part of July, and above it in August. In September, 

 it is nearly three degrees warmer, and in October, it retains 

 the temperature of 53°, which is six degrees above that of 

 the air on its southern shore. Its effect in warding off un- 

 timely frosts, is thus readily comprehended. 



" The eastern shores of the lakes are much more safe than 

 those on the west side. Altitudes make a great difference, 

 and the best influence is not felt immediately upon the lake, 

 but some miles distant, often upon higher ground. 



" In the State of Ohio, ten miles inland from the shores of 

 Lake Erie, the Catawba is unworthy of cultivation, and rarely 

 ripens. On sandy soils, along the lake-shore, it generally 

 matures, while, on the islands, on clayey limestone, it always 

 ripens, and of a quality not uniformly met with elsewhere."] 



Exposure. — Writers on grape culture are very far 

 from agreeing about the choice of exposure. Some 

 advise a southern exposure exclusively ; others think 

 the north equally good ; and, lastly, there are some 

 who seem to think this a point of little importance, 

 grounding their argument on the fact that if, on the one 

 hand, a large number of celebrated vineyards are ex- 

 posed to the south or east, sevefal, not less renowned 

 for the quality of their products are exposed to the 

 north. Such are, in Champagne, those of the hills of 

 £pernay, Mailly, Chigny and Rilly ; such are the most 

 celebrated on the Rhine ; several of those of Saumur 

 and Angers ; and, in the vicinity of Tours, the hills of 

 Jone and St. Avertin, where excellent red wines are 



