from the earth and ripen earlier than those in the upright position. During summer travels in Israel this writer has observed vines growing on the ground producing fruit. In addition it would seem that the thick wooden stalks (three to five inches in diameter) of the grapevine would be too stiff to be moved from a horizontal to a vertical position seasonally. Though it is possible that there is a continuity of viticulture from ancient times to the present, the destruction of the Jews at the time