Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-12-23
Iona Fruit Convention.

Iona Fruit Convention.
( We had the pleasure Of being one of
the Convention assembled at Iona on the
22d uIt, brief account of which, copied
from journal devoted to rural affairs,
will be found on the first page. It was a
season of great pleasure and profit to
those in attendance, despite the few una
voidable drawbacks 0ccasioned by the
substitution Of conveyance to the Island
by rail instead of steamer, as had been
arranged failure which was discovered
too late to be wholly remedied but the
united testimony of the visitors accorded
to the liberal and whole-souled host and
his estimable lady the greatest possible
credit for the admirable and satisfactory
manner in which they entertained large
number of persons who were to have been
otherwise provided for and for whose re-
ceptien the time given for preparation was
exceedingly brief. The character of the
assemblage may be inferred from remark
made by Horace Greeley, that he did not
believe such a gathering Of individuals,
more or less widely known, and distin-
guished for. some labor in literature or
knowledge of the earth and her produc-
tiOns, had ever before taken place in this
country" To appreciate the admirable
address of Mr. Beecher would be impos-
sible from the perusaI of sketch howev-
er well prepared, and to have heard it de-
livered was of itself worth trip to the
Island. The other speakers also acquit-
ted themselves with great credit, and their
addresses were highly appropriate to the
occasion and were listened to with marked
attention and absorbing interest.
The proprietor of Iona Island, DR.. G.
W. GRANT, has a national if not a world
wide reputation as pomologist-his spe-
ciality being the cultivation Of the grape
and the propagation of the vine. He is
the pioneer in the extensive multiplica-
ton of vines by the aid of glass struc-
lures, and being an intelligent and skill
full operator, has probably attained a great
er degree of perfection than has been
reached at any similar establishment
To him is justly attributable very much
of the high reputation and enviable fame
enjoyed by the Delaware Being among
the first to fully appreciate its transcend
ent merits, he at all times and under all
circumstances maintained its high char
aoter and defended its reputation, and has
disseminated more vines and done more
to place it in its present exalted position
among grapes than any other single indi- |
vidual. He has also rendered the coun-
try signal service by originating two new
grapes-the Iona and IsraeEIa-which
have already established for themselves a
high reputation, and when thoroughly
known will doubtless rank among the |
very best of American grapes, if not head
the list. We have seen and tasted the |
fruit of both these varieties, aad regard |
them as greatly in advance Of all other |
grapes of recent introduction and fully |
meriting the high estimate placed upon |
them by our best judges Of that class of |
fruit. Having on hand large and su-
perior stock of the vines, with almost un-
limited facilities for propagating, he viii
doubtless be able to meet the large de- |
mand the present interest in grape culture
must produce and we trust he viii real |
ize such pecuniary benefit as will in a
measure repay him for his long and earn
est labors in the department of horticul-
ture, and his valuable additions to the
lists of fruit that is now attracting more
attention than any other throughout all
portions of our extensive country.
SLEEPING Under DIEEIcIrLTIEs- Onr |