The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-05-07

Time would not permit me to give you any
more examples but the two named are good
types in sense successful, but more less
worthless grapes.
But now what does constitute truly success
full grape for market, for home or whatever
you want it for? can answer this question no
better than to read to you part OF reply received
from Pancoast Griffiths, commission mer-
chants, Philadelphia, Pa in answer to a circular
had sent to large number of commission mer-
chants, and of which latter Pancoast & Grflths
say: LET us call your attention to the fact too
often overlooked in the South and that is, that
grape-no matter as to other qualities-will
sell here in scraggy punches and loose from the
stem. The first market quality is in size, com
pact and tenacious clusters. y
This seems to me most correct and to the point
and whoever can grow such grape, it matters
little as to name, provided it be sufficiently pro-
life, will have truly successful grape.
Believing that at present our standby has to be
Niagara Delaware and Ives, to ascertain their mar
ket value, the following was sent to number
of commission merchants in principal cities:
"Pease give average prices of Florida grapes sold
last season, Niagara, Delaware and Ives, and is
demand best for black, red white grapes?" 1
added the last question on account of a discus
sion going through our papers last summer in
gard to O. preference of black to white grapes.
From we'll intended beginning it became quite
ridiculous, and looked very much if somebody
was going to start q new black grape and was pre-
pairing the way for it,
Reports received are in favor of white grapes,
even at Jacksonville, where Marx Bros. prefer
black varieties and stating ten to fifteen cents
a verage price ruling last
Chicago, Savannah, Augusta. Atlanta and
Richmond can give opinion having received
but very few, if any, from Florida; but what few
were received sold well from ten to thirty cents
No variety given. Boston and Baltimore prefer
white grapes; report but few received selling from
twelve to thirty cents. Philadelphia, from ten
to thirty CENTS and also in favor of white grapes
The reply from Pancoast & Griffiths is rather in
teresting and will give it to you in full. After
their remarks about market grapes, which have
already read to you, they say prices grapes
usually sell for are follows: Concord, to 4c.;
Niagara, 2 to 4c; Delaware to 10c foreign
rieties per pound 10 to 20c. White commanded
highest prices, red next black next; other quail
ties of clusters flavor, etc. being equal. The
above prices the Wholesale ranging during
the busy shipping time of the respective kinds. "
| wrote to them-prices given seemed to apply
to early grapes they themselves having
sold my Chasselas for forty cents per pound
and received the following reply which shall
read to you, refraining from comments: Re
plying to your favor of the 9th yes, the prices
apply to the time when the grapes are most
plentiful here, and you must bear in mind, that
is the only time when large quantities are in
demand and that large quantities put here out
of that season OF natural demand for them, in all
probability will at best not command any more
money. True we have sold grapes as high as
fifty cents per pound very early in the season
for grapes. and consequently these fancy prices
are paid more for the novelty than for the food
of the grapes. With any considerable quantity
it would be very different, especially with south
ern grapes, which, to be honest, must tell
you plainly are not q very desirable market
commodity as rule. Now this may not at all
agree with what you want to hear and report,
but we giving you the actual case, other
wise we would lead you astray.
We do not mean to deny that the season could
be legitimatey advanced from the fall to the
summer and even to the spring OF the year for
grapes, but what we say is from our experience
and observation. We do not believe that the low
humid country of the southern coast will success
fully yield satisfactory marketable grape for
our Northern cities in any large quantities. Only
very few OF the first picking possess the required
tenacity of cluster to arrive there in good order
and poor clusters with more or less loose grapes
will not sell in the North.
Replies from New York are more inviting and
Of HON T will OIL i'm fu dua T.