Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-02-28
.ths fartu aud Garden.


AmeFEcnn WIPE p8Np
A good while since, l offered several
premiums for choice Fruits: among otns
ers. one of 500 for the best Grape-said
premium to be awarded, after allowing
due time forcompetition and comparison,
by the Fruit Committee of the American
Institute. 1 was then extraordinarily con-
nected with the Institute II did not
know who constituted the Committee in
question. That Committee, ut the close
of the next Institute Fair, awarded the
Grape premium to the Iona, originated
by Or. G.. w. Grant. Some dissatisfac-
ton, 1 heard, was caused by this award,
which was deemed premature II not par
tial: at all events, DIR. Grant declined to
accept the premium, and suggested a
further scrutiny, which was readily ac-
corded. Andnow interviewed an election
of officers of the Institute, whereby the
Fruit Committee was modified; and, last
Fall, at the close of the Annual Fair, q
decided majority of the new Committee
| awarded the premium to Nh. w. IL. Gold
| smith of Newark, N. j., as exhibitor oil
admirable samples of the wel-known
Concord Grape.
So far as [ can Judge by the letters
which have since reached me, this award,
while heartily approved by many, exclt-
ed more dissatisfaction than the former;
| AIlu i HhNc Dttu uiBCu W 1850
| rule or defy it, as in plain disregard OF
the conditions specified in my offer,
which were as follows: ..a
at Is plausibly claimed that several substan-
TALLY ne1g or tttte knotcn varieties OF domestic or
i l7in. are y, . Of hish 1s 9Sssftyi ful Il Is tim az, thst these t5ese
claims were tested and passed upon by ,disin-
terested and capable judges, AS = humble con,
of one hundred dollars for the best plate OF Ma
tive Grapes, weighing not less than six pounds,
81 y az S%y s ss,afsy H"PT reu % re tg gsatItfGr s GRAPES Gr co@pee
ting for this premium shall ripen earlier then
is considered well adapted to a season no longer
and no hotter and dryer than ours, The berries
must be Of at least good medium SIZE P aha e nGl
must be melting and tender quite TO the center
The flavor must be pure, rich, ylnous and exhil
OF good habit of growth for trainingi In yards ant
gardens as well as in Vineyards, with leaves ~
OF the Deiaware. III short, what is sought is
vine ,ohich en,bodtes ne best qualities y he na2a q
proved American and Joreigh varieties, SO far ~
az propose TO pay this premium on the aware
Of the Fruit Department of the American INST
tute, and invite composition for 1t Mt the Amer
can Fair of the Institute soon TO open but II
thoroughly satisfactory Grape should not nov
be presented, the Institute Will OF course posi-
pofe the award I'll He proper claimant shat har
dDpeared. HORACE GREELEY.
After taking ample time for consid
Grafton, and hearing call sides, so far a
possible, L have decided that L nave II
|, discretion in the premises, but must pa
, the award az made. L accordingly motif,
Mr.. Goldsmith that the 500 awaits hi
order.
feel at liberty toadd, however, tina
, the spirit of my offer would have bee
! more fully regarded, and its ends bette
d. subserved, had the Committee defcrre
any award still lopger-at leash unit.
, they had found a Grape that, IN thei
. Judgment, completely fulfilled the still
, ulated conditions. New varieties are bt
, ing abundantly produced every year
; and, while most Of these are doubtless {
no account, there are two or three alread
/. known which promise well. or estat
I lished, wcll-known favorites, | decided
r prefer the Iona as u table grape to tn
Concord; but the latter seems to be YER
widely esteemed as hardy, prolific, an
fiourishing in a wide range of climate
But 1 shall pay the award exactly as
was last made, holding this the end
controversy so far Us 1 am concerned.
8 The premiums last Fall offered 10th
two townships that should soonest hay
2 two good grape-vines growing by eac
y dwelling, will be awarded by me on tn
LIST of May. HORACE GREELEY.
NeW York, Feb. IS, 1867.