GATHERING THE GRAPES. 83 



twenty species are often found in tlie same vineyard, 

 one reason for premature gathering is obviated. The 

 grapes generally ripen all about the same time. Should, 

 however — as will happen — one species of grape ripens 

 before the other, it is best to gather the ripe fruit, and 

 then gather the rest subsequently when ripe. 



There is one great objection among our vintners to 

 patient waiting, which must be mentioned. It lies in 

 the insecurity of their fruit against poachers. Fruit is 

 for some reason regarded as common property, and the 

 same person who would not take beans, cucumbers, 

 corn, or carrots, will think any one a " stingy hugger^'' 

 who does not look with gratification at any person 

 taking his grapes without leave. The vintners know 

 the prevalence of this freebooting sentiment as to the 

 fruit which has cost them so much labor and money. 

 They will watch it for a fortnight, night and day, but 

 it is too much to expect them to lose their night's rest 

 much longer, merely to improve the quality of their 

 wine a degree or two. The conclusion is too tempting 

 to be long resisted, to put their grapes " where neither 

 moth entereth, nor rust corrupteth, nor thieves break 

 through and steal." 



This is a serious impediment to an improvement in 

 the quality of our wines, but I fear it will exist for 

 some time, at least until fruit, especially grapes, become 

 more generally cultivated, and then a " fellow feeling" 



