The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-09-28
Letter from Steuben County, New York.
BATH, September 3rd, 1872.

ietteT, WOnurOuS Change HIS come OceF tHe
weather here. The thermometer, rising
from 45 to GO at night and from 81 to 80
during the day. The vagaries of the sun
are very puzzlng, and we hope some of
our talented astronomers will soon be able
to solve the problems agitating the scien-
tifc world in that respect.
Our last letter promised an account of
certain excursion to Grove Spring. Our
pen is in order, so we will begin.
Eight miles north of Bath lies the lake
that the Indians named " Kewka," and the
white men translated into the less euphon-
ious word" Crooked
Quite number of mineral springs are
found bubbling forth their health-giving
waters along the shore. They have been
analysed and found to contain sulpheric
acid, soda, magnesia and iron. To one of
| the most popular of these (Grove Spring.
about half way up the lake, a gay party of
five couples wendell their way by carriage
and boat one sunshiny day last month.
About half-past seven A. NJ, two ba-
rouches and one phaeton might have been
seen on the road to Hammondsport, from
Bath.
Can we ever forget that 1ide9 The dewy
freshness of the morning had not yet been
dspelled by the rays of the sun that glim-
mered only little way above the high hills.
Our horses even seemed to know that it
was an occasion devoted to pleasure and
hilarity, and trotted briskly over the hard
white road, keeping time to the gay laugh
ter, that foated out on the fragrant sum-
mer air. The delightful ride over the hills
and through the green valleys was soon end
ed, and we drove into Hammondsport in
gallant style; causing few children to
stop one moment in their absorbing and
time -honored occupation of Transforming
mud or dust into un-edile pios.
This little village of five hundred inhab-
itants is important as being the centre of
the Kewka Lake Grape Region. We pass
ed saw-mill engaged in manufacturing
grape boxes, and its busy whirr! whirr:
and the whistle of the steamboat was the
only noises that disturbed the stiffness OF
the place. Small as the village is, it has
public square-not very large-but quite
refreshing oasis in the little wilderness OF
dusty streets and houses.
We drove up just in time to catch the
boat. They run two day from Penn
Grove to Hammondsport. For size, they
are somewhat larger and much fresher
looking than the " G. P. Smith that phys
between Baltimore and Elkton.
We seated ourselves on deck, whilst the
boat was getting up steam and hauling in
the plank. We have learned some inter-
esting facts about Kewka Lake. 1t is sit
uated in the centre of the grape region las
above mentioned of Western New York,
and is 4s7 feet above the level of the Atlant
ic Ocean. Its length is twenty-five miles,
and it's greatest breadth is one and half
miles. The outlet which flows in Seneca
Lake, has descent of 217 feet in seven
miles. Once every year, usuallyin April or
May, the lake purifes its waters by throw
to the surface substance, which appears,
and smells like sulpher. This remains one
week and suddenly disappears in several
DAYS, and is not seen again until the next
season.
The main deck of the boat where we
were sitting was fortunately covered by an
awning, as it began to rain just as the pad
dle-wheels started, and the cabins were
insufferably warm. 1t was only passing
shower, however, that pleasantly cooled
the air. for the sun came out before we
turned the curving hills that hid Ham
mondsport from our view.
The waters of the lake have greenish
tinge, beautiful from its very rarity
Placid water usually reflect the azure sky
above them; but this lake of the hills has
peculiar tint entirely its own. We called
chrisoprase, emerald and etc; but no word
can we'll convey an idea of the color. On
every side for miles stretched the immense
vineyards, for which this region is famous
It was very odd and lovely sight to see
the rolling hills terraced to their very sum-
mits by successive rows of grape-vines.
After very short ride-it seemed to us
1.-THE Stenton" landed us at Grove
Spring. All the boarders were grouped on
the verandahs and stared with pardonable
curiosity, as we walked up the broad ave-
nue. to deposit our traps in the landlords
care. write our names in the list of arrivals,
and engage board for the day.
The Hotel is one of moderate dimensions
three stories high, surrounded by piazzas
and having very neat grounds that slope
down to the waters edge Near the boat
house. tloated half dozen skiffs. Being
the first in the field we secured one of the
best and were soon rowing across the lake.
Four of our party went to the Crbana
| Wine Cellars. We found no difficulty in
gaining admission.
1t was quite journey to 90 from the
fourth story where the huge wine presses
stood waiting to be filled with this years
cranes. to the vaults stored with the bot
tied wines.
The superintendent told us some very
|
way, that the greater part has escaped our
memory.
Last year twelve hundred tons of grapes
were pressed in these vaults alone (Urbana,)
and as the frost had spoiled large major
ity of the fruit, this was considered small
quantity. The day we were there the Gel
lars contained four hundred thousand bot
ties, filled with different kinds of wine
These were placed in large stands, to re-
main until all the sediment from the last
fermentation should collect near the corks,
when with curious little machine this
was removed without losing drop Of the
pure wine.
Champagne is the most expensive kind
of wine, because it takes SO much time and
trouble to make it. Five per cent is lost
of the whole from breakage of bottles dur
ing the last fermentation. 1t is made from
the first juice Of the grape that runs off
| with varv Slipht preSsure Every mart of