The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-05-17
ADDITIONAL LOCAL.


Prospects for Large Crop this Year
Very RIattering-where and How Our
Grapes are Produced.
The raising and cultivating Of grapes
and the manufacturing Of wines have be.
come very important feature around
this city, in late years, and are annually
becoming more important. Besides the
numerous vineyards that clothe the bills
on this side OF the river our, neighbors oil
Bridgeport and Martins Ferry attracted
by the Incompatible natural facilities they
possess have gone into this business ener-
setically and now all the hills that incline
to the river and "iaee" this city are
utilized by their owners as vineyards and
grapeyards. The vineyards on the Ohio
aide are much older than any on this side
OF the river and at the same time are much
larger and generally much better cultiyat-
ed. The products OF these vines are dis
posed Of in this city and in
Cincinnati in the shape OF wine, only a
small proportion Of the grapes grown be.
| ing used for table purposes.
Many coniectures have been made re-
Gently as to whether or not the irosts
had injured the young grapes and also
the small fruits, and TO ascertain the
state Of these fruits and grapes an H.
rELIldRNCER man yesterday made tour
OF some of the vineyards across the
river. He first stopped at the large gar.
den, fruit and vegetable farm and vine
yard OF Mr.. A. D. Newland, behind Mar:
tins Ferry. Unfortunately. Mr.. Newland
was not at home, but his wife very
kindly gave us the following points:
HThe grapes at present are in excellent
condition; indeed, better that they have
been for many years, and, unless the
dry weather We are now having Is pro-
tracted too long, we shall have large
and fine crop OF all kinds OF grapes.
As 10 the small fruits, the frosts ippes
the early blossoms, but subsequent bios
SONS have appeared, aud / think we
shall have an abundance OF all sorts oil
berries. Gardens are also coming on
famously Just now, and all that we need
| Ia A shower or two to have one OF tn
most abundant seasons ever known"
Proceeding further down the river, we
came 10 the fine vineyard and orchard
Of Mr.. McSwords, and passing through
them on our way to the house. Here,
too. we found unmistakeable evidences
that. unless some unforeseen obstacle
should arise, beautiful supply OF grapes
and fruits was assured this season. Dir.
McSwords also was absent, and we were
compelled to seek for information from
other soaroes, andin few minutes found
Capt. Richard Crawford, Of Etnaville, al
home, and willing to give US the results
Of lifetime Of experience as an agri'
culturist and grape.grewer.
"The grape crop promises to'oe larger
and finer this year than 1t has tor the last
three years. The. past winter has been
very iayerrble to grape vines, and pre-
dict an immense crop. The Isabella grape
which has rather q tender and delicate
bud. has pro6ted by the clemency o.
the elements and will turn out very large
iy. The Concords, Of course, are accli'
mated and there will be large crop. The
CataWb bas are shooting we'll and will aver
ace three punches OF grapes to q bud. Thli
"a the result OF the mild weather.
TAre there not other varieties?"
ooh. yes; there are the Delawares, the
Ives. and we did attempt TO introduce the
iona. but rs It Is q very fine and delicate
vine. ths harshness OF this climate dis,
eouraeed the attempt; but take them al
tbronsh and the Catawba Is the most re
iiable and the best. The Concord Is Ant
tahla crane, but pals sooner on the tastt
than some Others.
els not this section admirably adapted
TO the cultivation OF grapesF
"These hills that slope TO the ryer ate
yery well adapted TO the purposes Of grap.'
culture. They have the essential guam
ties OF soil and exposure to the sun, AMI
| I do not think these qualities are possessed
10 the same degree by many other sec
lions. By the DETECTION of the river her
a natural cove Is formed which protecu
these hills. Alkali, very essential ele
ment in the culture OF the grape, is aouna
ant. The morning sun and the noonds!
and afternoon rays OF the sun strike ines
hin iacings, and we generally have goo'
saFhere Is all the difference in the worlt
In the plans In which vineyards are 10
cated." continued Mr.. Crawford. y havl
shown you the admirable adaptation o
these hills to the purposes ot grape groT,
ing. Persons very frequently have neld
no creek exposed to the sun, and, as the.
think, well adapted to the purpose OF crap
growing. No worse place, however, coul'
Be selected. From the nature oil tnos
places the hollow formed by creek
generally narrow and funnel shaped, ant
through It the winds pass continually AM
"a result the grapes mature slowly an!
: frequently mildew. Then again, oak land
are often selected. Alkall Is always want
> ing In these lands, and unless this iS a.
element there can be no success attendin
: any attempts. ItiS said that garden yet
9 etables, &C., mature two weeks earlier Q
= this side OF the river than they DO on "
|. other side from the reason OF our e1psosuI
! 10 the sun. vineyards and iarin
] could be rendered much more proaueuY
Q and prolific Il their owners would give
little attention 70 the matter OF terdlizlnl
There are large deposits Of mari which 81
readily accessible, and II loads ot this nal
Q terial were scattered over the vineyards
p very material increase Of grapes would r
Capt. Crawford thoroughly understand
the theory OF grape culture and has bee
II yeTy successiul In his efferts in this dire
!. ton, and his ideas on the subject can
II utilized by growers with great profit. :,
a Mr.. @. Hayes, Of this city, has been \
" terested for some years ina vineyard {
p the hill above Bridgeport, and says u
10 the prospects are unusually good Il
r. grapes OF all descriptions.
Other smaller grape growers report I
y yorAble indications OF good crops, al
H. the same may be said Of strawberries, ras
N berries, &c.