West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-04-11
FRUIT GROWING In VINELAND.


MIR. Wm o. Gwynneth, of Vineland, con-
tributes an article to the Report of the State
Board OF Agriculture for 1878, on fruit cul.
ture in that thriving settlement. He says:
"Ihe rise and progress of Vineland can
hardly be realized by our oldest inhabitants
TO see Vineland now with it's $50 miles
OF good roads, its FARMS vineyards, orch
ards, churches, stores markets, manufac-
tories, in fact, everything that enters into
high order of civil and social life, and
contrast it with the forest and dense un-
derbrush which fifteen years ago occupied
It's place. to say the least, is wonderful
change.
''The mildness of the climate, purity of
the water and capabilities of its soil, in con-
nection with its before mentioned advan-
tages, render it place of no meagre attire
tions.
although its soil and climate make it
peculiarly adapted to fruit growing, vet the
production of the staple crops will, per
acre, compare favorably with those of any
other section in this latitude. g.
''The prominent agricultural industry is
fruit growing, and the leading branch of it
is grape growing. There are about 900
acres in vines, and two-thirds of the vines
are in bearing, the other third not being old
enough. The crop this past season was not
as profitable as heretofore, owing to the
universal prevalence of the rot. This was
the first year of its appearance to any ex-
tent in Vineland. Very minute microscopic
examinations and experiments with the
fungus were made by Dr. Bidwell and Col
Parson. The results and their views have
been published in our papers, and no doubt
but that our vineyardists will be prepared
to ward Oft the diseased if it should hereafter
make its appearance.
"The largest proportion of our grapes are
sent to the markets of Philadelphia, New
York and Boston,
line packages most generally used are
two and three pound boxes, packed in
crates. A wine company has been estab-
llshed here, which buys large quantities of
grapes. They have recently enlarged their
vaults and machinery.
''The next fruit of Importance grown here
is the blackberry 1t is estimated that there
is at least LOCO acres under cultivation
Probably three-quarters of them will be in
fruit this season. The acreage will be large
ly increased this year, as many intend put
ting out from one to ten acres. No pest
has as yet infested the bushes to any extent
and the prices obtained for the fruit, in pro-
portion to cost of production, have been
very satisfactory. The fruit is sent to the
same market as the grape, put in pint and
quart wooden boxes, packed in chests hold
ing from twenty four to sixty quarts.
Peaches occupy the third place in our
fruit growing and there are from 800 to 1000
acres devoted to this crop. With some
growers this crop has been highly satisfac-
tory, both as regards price and the quantity
produced. All the most desirable of the
older varieties, and many of those of recent
introduction are grown As general rule
the later kinds have brought the best prices
There is no canning establishment here, and
the crop is sent to the cities before men
toned. Our packages are the one bushel
crates.
"Pear growing is receiving considerable
attention, and there are probably 500 acres
IN this fruit. The success of different grow
ors is perhaps more varied than with any
other fruit. Some have obtained highly
satisfactory results while others there has
been failure. Nodoubt in many instances
of failure, it is the result of planting varie-
ties that will not succeed except under the
most favorable circumstances. With proper
selection of kinds, judicious culture and at
tention, this fruit can be grown as success
fully as at any other point