The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-03-02
HOOKING VALLEY HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

ing were read and approved.
On motion of J. G. .Kinkead, the sub
Ijcct heretofore designated for discus.
sion was taken up--when it was infor-
mally agreed that on this occasion the
discussion shall be confined to the first
branch of it, to4wit "thc varieties of
the grape hest adapted for cultivation
in this locality"
Mr.. r. j. Black remarked that the
Catawba could not yet be thrown aside
the Delaware was undoubtedly finer
for wine, but perhaps less productive
it remains to be seen how its pro-
ductivcness will compare with that of
the Catawba, under extensive cultiva-
tion-with proper cultivation it is not
as small a grape as usually represent
cd, or as pictured in the Patent Office
Report. The Delaware has the ad,
vantage of hardness, freedom from
blight, rot or mildcw, and uniform
productivenoss-whilc the Catawba is
more or less subject to these evils, and
q good crop is apt to be followed by
partial or total failure. If the Cataw
ba gave yearly good crops, it would be
magnificent Had found the Delaware
a good grower with fair care. lnstar
ced the comparative prices Of the two
wines, tho Delaware bringing twice Or
thrice as much as the Catawba.
Mr. S. Snider. Believes the Cataw-
ba to be one of the best grapes with
which we arc acquainted-thipks that
one source Of injury to its frui!fulness
has been in permitting it to overbear-
when that's done, ,thovines are weaken
ed for future crops, and rendered more
liable to diseasc-the Delaware is no
doubt q superior fruit. Timo is requir-
ed, however, TO dovclopc its bearing
qualities. Thought highly of Ives
Seeding, from what he had setn Of it.
Believes we have the best soil in the
State for the grape. Some object to
the slopes of our hills on account of the
washing OF the soil. This can be pre-
vented by the growing of some crop
among the vines, such as rye, and GOV,
ering the surface with straw or litter
Of somo Kind, which will serve to pre-
vent washing and also to enrich the
soil. Was of opinion that the elevation
Of our lands here, compared with Gin
cinnati, was All advantage as regards
mildcw, blight, and other diseases gen.
orally attributed to atmospheric inhu-
ence. This, combined with efforts. to
restrain productivoness within modcr-
ato limits, will leave nothing to fear as
regards these evils.
Mr.: j. D. Clarke. The Catawba is
decidedly the best grape for us. One
trouble with regard to other varieties
has been experimenting with poor and
inferior plants. The Catawba is Il
rapid grower, and we'll rcpays care
and good cultivation. The Delaware
is number ono grape, but he had
poor success in procuring fruit from it,
after several years attention to it. The
Concord has proved second rate here
so far as tested, Referred to the con
troversy among Cincinnati horticultu.
rists about the failure Of grape growing
in that rcgion-thcught Mr. Yeatman
had the advantage in the argument.
Had himself observed abandoned vine.
yards in the vicinity Of Cincinnati
But we have yet every reason to main.
tain the cultivation Of the Catawba in
this locality.
Mr.. J. D. Martin. Believes the Ca.
tawba is the grape for us to encourage.
Tho present high price of the Della
ware wine should not too hastily lead
us to its adoption. 1t is to be consid-
cred whether its rarity, rather than its
intrinsic merit, is not the main cause
Of the high price. The purost whisky
is as good liquor in itself, as the
purest brandy. notwithstanding the
vast difference in price IN favor of the
latter. Just so with wincs-many
considerations aside from quality enter
into the element Of prices. 1t is doubt
ful if we have anything equal to the
Catawba, for all purposes. AS n table
grape, he had noticed the Catawba up
on Eastern tables, along with the
choicest hot house grapes, and the
former was in most instances preferred
1t will not do to discard the Catawba
till experience has demonstrated the
of somo other.
Mr.. "A. Fettcrs. Was a friend to
the Catdwba. Had cultivated it ten
years without rot or blight, Also
thought very highly of the Delaware.
1t is hardy-stauds the winter perfect
ly, and is early in ripening, These