The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-10-09
Grapes and Growers.

Few people, even in Greenyille, have
any idea of the dimensions reached by
the industry of grape growing here, and
still smaller proportion of our citizens
realize what an important part the busi-
ness will form ofour commerce and enter
prise.
The figures of the shipments will
doubtless be astonishing, especially when
we remember the limited capital and
means employed. The books at the ex-
press Office show that 3,06l baskets of
grapes were shipped from here during the
season, beginning in the latter part of
July and virtually ending on the 10th of
September, although there we're some
occasional shipments up to the 18th of
this month. In pounds the grape ship
ments aggregated $1,000. The principal
shippers we're Messrs. Garraux, a. B.
Buist and Marshall, although Mr.. Put
nam shipped quite number of early
baskets. The best market was Charleston,
where very large proportion of the ship.
ments went, but New York and Phila.
delphia took considerable quantities and
few lots went to Cincinnati.
The varieties chiefly grown are Gin.
ton, Concord, Ives and Delaware, and
they commanded a ready sale, reaching
the market early. Greenville promises
to become famous for its grapes, for those
shipped from here have been the best in
every market, the size surprising any
others and the flavor being always pecu-
liarly rich.
The shippers have had different expe-
riences, but all who have been seen unite
in declaring themselves thoroughly satis-
fed with their experiments and convinced
that the culture of grapes is as profitable
as any business that can be engaged in
here. F. Hahn, who has shipped very
few grapes this year, it being the Crest
ing" season for his vines, is equally salts.
fed with his experience, having sold $500
or $500 in grapes from his two acres last
year, netting very comfortable profit.
Mrs. Garraux has kept more accurate
account of the results of her years work
than any of the others, and her figures
may be relied on. The Garraux vine.
yard of an acre and a quarter was beau.
tiful sight in the bearing season, the
vines being literally loaded and covered
with immense punches of the luscious
fruit. The acre and fourth yielded 49,
500 pounds of grapes. 1900 pounds
were shipped, netting 5 cents pound on
an average; $500 pounds were sold at
retail. The other thousand pounds was
made into thirty gallons of wine, lost,
given away, etc., and some few grapes are
still ripening. 10000 pounds at five
cents is 5000; $500 pounds retailed at
10 cents is $3.50. $3.50 on an acre and q
quarter beats cotton, and The grape grow
ers say the yield is better every year.
The records at the express Office and
account sales stand to prove these almost
incredible figures.
Hugh B. Buist has also been very sue.
cessful, although the figures of his crop
were not obtainable, rs he had not finished
shipping when visited by the representa-
tive of the News. His crop was magnifi.
cent this year, and he attributes the fact
that he makes no failures to his system
of planting his vines fifteen feet apart.
He gives them the same working usually
given cotton, three plowings and hoeings,
and estimates his next profits at SIS an
acre, us he sells entirely at wholesale.
He has a six acre vineyard on Piney
mountain and is firmly persuaded that
grape and fruit growing beats cotton
raising by long odds.-Greenr'He NeDs.