New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-10-30
,ame at him after this curious and complex
THE GRAPE CROP.

BY all accounts the aggregate crop of grapes
this year is larger than ever before. The lead
ing varieties are the Catawba, Isabella, Diana,
Clinton, Delaware, Concord, and Hartford Pro-
life. Some of the newer sorts, and some re-
Gently brought into notice. such as the Iona,
Ives's Seeding, Norton's Virginia, and several
of ROgers's Hybrids, are yielding very well.
There are no sources from which we can
make correct estimate of the amount of this
years crop. But the principal localities where
the grapes are grown are the thriving fruit
towns of IIammOnton and Vineland, and
several places around Philadelphia, along
the Hudson River, and here and there
in New England. In Western NewYork
the planting has been extensive, for the soil
and climate are 80 favorable that all the finer
SORTS such rs the Catawba, Delaware, and
Diana, do extremely well, and we presume the
Iona also fOurshes. From this region, along
the southern shore of Lake Erie to the
mouth of the Maumee, in Ohio, in belt at
least 800 miles long, and from three to four
miles broad, all these varieties are planted In
vineyards with great success. But 1t Is to be
noted that this district is about equally divided
INTO n clay, or shale, and sandy soil. and that
it is only upon the former that the finest fruit
and the most uniform crops are obtained. OPP
poste Sandusky is n cluster of islands, six or
eight in number, which have become famous
for fine grapes On Point Pelee, belonging TO
Canada, one Of the largest of the group, plant
ing has commenced but recently. The next
grape region lies on the southern half OF the
eastern shore of Lake Michigan. On the
western shore the Winters are 40 severe that
the vines winter-kill, which is owing to the
land breeze from the interior. Next in I'M
portance come the shores of the Mississippi
commencing at Quincy and extending above
Burlington. In all these localities the Cataw ba
uniformly ripens, though there are exceptional
wears when to some extent it mildews. To
decide whether locality is favorable for grape
growing the only test is the growth OF the "a
tawba. for if this does well all other kinds WILL
| OF crane regions which may be called second
class are 10 be mentioned the slate hills OF
Western PENNSYLVANIA, particularly around Pitts
| burob the hills of the Ohio shore down as Tar
IA Caledonia. within IS miles of the mouth OF
this river the timbered region OF Southern IN
nois. and also tho prairie south OF b., Willie
| considerable vineyards are in bearing north OF
this parallel, in Central Illinois. There are
extensive vineyards in the neighborho0d
of st. Louis, and along the Iron Mountain
Railroad south, and extending as much as 90
miles into the mineral region. On the plateau
of Central Iowa the Concord has produced
magnificent crops, and considerable planting
with varied success has been done in Indiana.
1t ia asserted that the Maryland, Delaware,
and Virginia shores excel for grape growing,
but rs yet we possess no positive information
Ton f1aa
ike the Concord There Is no doubt that a
variety of grape suited for the Southern States
is required; at least, those which do well at the
| North have not so far done equally we'll in the
| South. The Scuppernong is said to be what
| is wanted but it lacks flavor rs q table
grape when compared even with the Concord.
| The trouble seems to be that no kind has TO-
liage sufficiently hardy to Withstand the alter
nations Of heat by day and cold by night ; be-
| sides the seasons are too long TO suit grape
which in the North natures upon the verge OF
| frost Still, with regard TO grape-growing In
| the South, moro experiments are required, as
well as n general analysis of soils and atten-
ton To peculiar localities. When these condi-
tons are regarded success may be looked for
nor was il attained in the North in any other
way. or grape growing i'll California we learn
that il is a recent discovery that grapes grow
better on high ground, where irrigation is inn
possible, than on the alluyal soil where they
have hitherto been grown. This has led to
increased planting, and it is confidently pre-
dicted that the quality of the wine will be so
improved as TO compete with the choicest Euro
pean brands. Several new grapes are now de-
handing attention. One which will do as we'll
through the interior of tho North as the Ca
tawba does In the water climates of Western
New York and Northern Ohio, and without the
requirements of slate or shale SOIL will be in
great demand, aud will add immensely TO the
grape interest of our country. Still, within the
limitations of culture above specified, the bust
ness IL assuming vast proportions, and even
now, in what may DO called its infancy, the
crop is of the value of several millions OF
dollars.
In all the grape districts mentioned, wine
making is carried on with considerable success.
At Hammonsport Cleveland, and Sandusky, on
the islands, and on tho Upper Mississippi, at
Hermann. and nc Cincinnati. extensive wine
cellars have been constructed and large guam
titles of wine made. The quality has, with
particular manufactures improved with each
year, and a taste for American wine has been
cultivated, but there is room for great I'M
provement.
Tho Rova in Dlua hava THAR grand ,allv ,n