The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-10-10

the Grapes Ready for tho Press-A Bit
of Fun-view OF o vineyard-Thrco
Grades of Wine.
A Swiss village, bright October morning
and full wagon. We were all going to
Monsieur P.s vineyard, some miles distant
1t was the first day Of the vendanges, there
fore the first of three days holiday, ac-
cording to the canton laws when business Is
abandoned and every one, grown people and
children, fall to and pick grapes In their own
or their neighbors' vineyards
A merry party ours, even sober Monsieur
2. looking almost jovial, for how could he
help it with such lively crowd OF boys and
girls all promising to work like beavers, and
such day for the gathering.
Wagons big and little, with many and
with few. we passed Hero whole family,
baby and all, with the mother clicking her
needles over the never forgotten stocking;
there small faction Of two or three, but all
out on the same intent We passed many
acred vineyards and tiny slopes where all
alike were working, and finally we reached
Monsieur P.'s vineyard. And what vine
yard was this. There was none to excel it in
that part Of the country.
VIEW OF A VINEYARD.
Far back it stretched, covering the slope In
even, well trimmed rows, the huge white
punches Of chasselas and the dusky purple
muscat bearing down the vines with their
rich weight. A small, rude board house,
wherein were stored all things pertaining to
the vintage, was open, and there We put our
lunch baskets. A number Of men were pick
ing and already great heaps Of the fruit were
lying on the ground and in barrels and
baskets
We little folk began working with will,
each trying to Guido the other In speed and
| number Of baskets filled. II WINS fun till we
began TO tire, then another part of the work
claimed our attention On the roadside by
the storehouse they were crushing the grapes
| The branches were thrown into hogsheads.
tho different varieties by themselves, and
then pounded with big wooden dasher till
| the grapes were well bruised and thus made
ready for the press. This was rare sport,
and we began pounding with all our might,
| splashing the rich juice about, first in our
frantic efforts to show our skill, and then,
from very mischief, into each others faces.
In went the grapes, higher and higher rose
the juice, and with it our spirits, till Jean,
mischievous boy, hit upon a delight
full plan. Searching by the roadside,
he found and cut long stem Of
hollow jointed grass, and, dipping 1t In the
nearly full barrel, began sucking UP the
| fragrant liquid We were not slow follow
ing his example, and how refreshing it was
to our little thirsty throatsl An innocent
beverage, surely, in its first unfermcnted
| state.
"Ahl that's the way you help, is itgn said
Monsieur p, coming along with fresh load,
but he laughed, SO we knew it was all right
A BIT OF SPORT
| Down went my head for another sip, but
instead-sputter, gurgle, swallow, choke.
A peal OF laughter from the children, a
mocking apology from mischievous Jean,
and l emerged from the rosy liquid with
dripping head and shoulders. II was too
funny not to laugh, so wiping off my face
| joined in at my own expense.
ooh, mol it did no harm,n said the vint-
ners, "only little American favoring: be-
| sides, it would be purified In the fermenta-
tion.n
Never was frugal meal of bread and cheese
eaten with keener appetites, all sitting about
In true picnic fashion. An hours snooningn
was allowed, then all fell vigorously to work
again.
There was much for novice to learn. Be
foro the day was over we knew that the
crushed grapes went through tho wine press
not once only, but twice and thrice, the last
pressing making a thin, inferior wine, de-
cidedly sour. Also that the mout or must,
when only a few hours old, was delicious,
sparkling beverage not unlike cider, and also
a most excellent plant fertilizer. We found
out, too, that nothing was wasted, and that
the dried skins and stems were pressed into
cakes and used for fuel.
Poor indeed is the peasant throughout the
grape growing region who cannot boast OF
at least strip OF vineyard, be 1t over SO
small. According to his wealth 80 IL his
vineyard. Then the thing Is to get the fruit
gathered for the vintage as soon as possible,
for there is always danger Of hail storms,
which often lay waste acres OF vineyard,
causing great loss.
1t was a tired party that rode back that
evening, but there was much that was de-
lightful to recount of tho days experience,
In spite Of aching baQIs and blistered hands.
Evelyn Carol In Home journal.