Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-05-13


Mere Assss The Psssesscd RtehnesA wise
Csmpasy-Rsess ssd Tissrss fssn shs Gem
mss4sesss sf Assfesifsre.
10 TIE Editor Of tAs Dispdsch;
I think Il we'll once more 70 call the
attention Of the citizens Of Richmond
and its vicinity to this important sub
ject. Some time since great interest
was manifested in the project, and now
the need Of = market for the large
amount Of wine-grspes that viii prooa-
bIv be produced in the environs OF
Richmond is much more apparent than
il was then. This was forcibly brought
70 nv notice during . flying visit to
Albemarle last week. in that county
VINEYARDS are being extended and
new ones planted every year, and
there is every prospect now OF
q crop far greater than ever before.
Talking on this subject, received o
friendly rebuke--a " true word spoken
in lest r--becausc had advised grape
growers of other sections that they
could find market for their surplus
wine-grapcs in Charlottesville. and it
was made clear to me that with
fairly good season more grapes will be
raised in Albcmsrle county alone and
will seek market in Char
lottesyille than the two wine-cellsrs
there can possibly work up. Then
where will be the outlet for the crop OF
Chesterfield, Henrico, and other coun-
ties which have many and fourishlng
vineyards? Last year the crop in AL
bemarle was very small--far below an
average, not taking into account the
immense increase in the number OF
beering vines since that time.
This is a question on which the whole
community is interested-not grape
growers alone. yiticulture is on a
boom just now, and if Improves profita-
BILE will 60 on developing, become
most important industry, and add
much to the general wealth. But
let there be large crop OF
grapes, and the growers find
the market overstocked--no sale for
their products. All those who have
not the skill or conveniences or capital
to work up their grapes into wine will
become disguised, and the new industry
receive check from which it will not
recover in our time.
In answer to the call for statistics
published in the Dispatch, have re-
ceiyed letters from few vineyardists.
They report in the vicinity of Rich
mond 1891 acres in vines. This is only
fraction of the area, as there is good
reason to believe. There were reports
also from Amherst Fluvanna, Charles
City, James City, and from Spotsyl-
vsnia.
hope that some influential citizen
will take this matter in hand and give
it an impulse. Perhaps that is all that
is wanted to make TIA success.
sILK-wORMs' EGGS.
This may meet the eye Of some one
who would like to make an experiment
in silk-raising. can supply four or
five with a half ounce each Of eggs if
they will at once communicate with
Yours most respectfully,
RANDOLPH HARRISON,
Commissioner of Agriculture.
May 5, 1885.
n. B.--Since writing the above /
have received letter from Oscar Rier-
son, ESQ.,, of Charlottesville dated May
4th), in answer to one of inquiry con-
corning the wine-cellars of his town.
Mr.. Rierson is an expert in this bust
ness, and secretary and treasurer
of the Monticello Wine Company.
He says in regard to shipping
grapes: 1--WE have for some years
had some Norton grapes from
Richmond--not any large quantity.
To say nothing about objection to so
distant shipment affecting wine pro-
perties Of fruit--the freights are too
heavy tax except on expensivegrapes-
it would be to growers interest to com-
bine and make wines. This, however,
depends on quantity Of fruit to be had
in good order and at wine prices for
grapes.'
The storage capacity Of the Month
cello Company Mr.. Rierson states to
be " 100000 gallons, that can be in
creased to 100000 by the use of larger
casks-about 10000 gallons now on
hand"
"Mr. Hotopp has 50,000-gallon
cellar, to which he is now excavating an
addition Of 10000"
This last is an interesting statement,
as Mr.. Hotopp was the pioneer in this
business, and confirms the general be-
lief that he has found it profitable.