The name is absent

Agkiculture on the ruine.

Walluf, where they suddenly leave it and stretch
at a right angle towards Wiesbaden and IIomburg.
At Walluf a projecting ridge runs out from the main
range, and thus the gentle slopes that, with various
undulations, lie on the base of the Taunus between
Rtidesheim and Walluf, are sheltered from the east
wind as well as from the violence of storms from the
S.W. When to these favourable circumstances we add
that these slopes arc formed of alluvial soil, frequently
attaining a depth of twenty feet or more of an ex-
ceedingly fertile nature, the reader will easily conceive
on what the claims of the “ Rhinegau ” to be pre-emi-
nently adapted to the production of wine are founded.
The produce of the Rhinegau vineyards w ill unhesitatingly
be pronounced by all who have had an opportunity of
tasting it in its purity, and with due selection, to be the
Choicestwine that is made. But, in addition to the draw-
back of its being the dearest wine that is sold, its rarity
prevents so many from having the opportunity of judging
of it, that many of our readers, travelled as well as un-
travclled, must, we fear, content themselves with the
proofs which we shall adduce of the correctness of our
asseveration. The whole length of this favoured tract of
country is from 10 to 12 English miles. The summits of
the Taunus that shelter it on the north rise 1500 feet above
the Rhine, and recede to a distance of a mile and a half
from its bank. The upper part of the mountains is
wooded, the lower part presents undulations of varying size
and slope. As the boat winds round what is emphatically
called the hill of Riidesheim, the traveller glances with
no little surprise at the close and compact patches of
vines with which its precipitous side is literally clothed.

AGRICULTURE OX THE RHINE.

VVitli the exception of a few narrow paths, wall succeeds
wall, and terrace overhangs terrace, to an elevation of
500 feet above the level of the river. The hill is an im-
mense mass of clay-slate, which is the predominant forma-
tion of the Taunus, and the steepness here alike supplies
the place of deep soil and allows every aspect to be used.
In approaching this round projection we pass Assmans-
hausen, which stands also shrouded in vineyards, with a
south-westerly exposure. Here red wine is chiefly made,
but choice white wine has lately been produced there. An
angle in the hill intervenes, but the same aspect soon recurs,
and the Riidesheim vineyards commence. The full round
of the hill gives breadth to the south-western, southern,
and south-eastern sites, on each of which a wine of first-
rate quality is produced. The whole front contains 400
morgens (250 acres). The description of grape chiefly
planted on the “Berg” is called the Orleans grape,
bearing a large oval green berry that in warm years is a
luscious fruit, but in damp seasons is more inclined to
fail than even the riesling. The Orleans grape was for-
merly more prevalent in the Rhinegau than it now is, as
this disadvantage has banished it to the hill of Riides-
hcim. Adjacenttothe “Berg” conies the site called
“ Rottland,” then follows the “ IIinterhaus,” the fa-
vourite growths of the riesling grape. For the initiated
there are two distinct Riidesheim w^,ines, independently
of the flavour belonging to the actual lineyard. In the
Rhenish -vineyards such generic terms as Hock, Port,
Sherry, and Madeira are unknown. Where pure grape-
juice can be had, the shades of flavour are countless, but
each possesses its peculiar charm.

The appearance of the vineyards from Riidcsheim on-

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