Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-18
ONLY HERE AND THERE IT KILLED.
Those Situated on the HillSideS Escape
With but a Limited Number Of
Blackened Vines.
OTHER FRUITS IN GOOD ACONDITION.
The Foliage Is So Heavy That Growers sSay There Is
Little to Fear.

OaN morning cnedleu lue MoIluou VI many
bottle of wine long before it really existed
in the luscious grape. The loss, however,
is not a total one, but every here and there
a vineyard was blackened as soon SIS touched
bv Yesterdays sun. The vineyards on the
hills got off the lightest, although they
were not all free. Some that stood close to
the river, though on an elevation, suffered
the most, as is instanced by the almost total
losses to the vine owners on Mt Washing
ton. The Allegheny vineyards on the
hills out Spring Garden avenue and
East street, as well as in the
lower end of the city escaped with only a
branch here and there ruined by the frozen
dew. In fact, the majority of the vine
yards in and about the two cities escaped
with only slight losses, if yesterdays ap-
pearances go for anything, but some vine
growers say it will take several days for the
entire work of the frost to develop itself
No Other Fruit Damaged.
As for the other fruit, it is believed to be
too far advanced for the frost to have much
effect on it. The peaches, which have al
ready assumed a semblance of shape, seemed
to be in good condition, as were the apples
anu pears SuIIdulS SObDSDOAAASS wv
not appear to be injured in the least.
People would hardly believe what a fail
ure of the grape crop in and about Pittsburg
would mean. The vineyards in the city
and the near suburbs produce hundreds of
tons of grapes in a good season. Last year
it was only fair. The rot attacked the
grapes when they were about to ripen; and
yet our vineyards alone ON Mt Washington
produced Is tons of this delicious fruit. In
fact, the grape crop last year was the only
one that bore the semblance of abundance.
This wear the outlook promises the greatest
crop ever known, and the recent nipping
viii diminish it but little. The parts which
suffered the most were the Young vines
which have only years growth. They will
be forced back almost to the starting
point In an examination of vineyards
made yesterday the little shoots next the
ground were frequently found black and
shriveled, while above them the older vines
were as fresh and green as if they had never
known a temperature of less than 80 degrees.
Owners of the Large Vineyards.
Out Spring Garden avenue every availa-
bic hillside that is unfit for building pur-
poses is covered with vineyards The same
Is true of the side of Troy Hill and all the
hills. even out beyond the city limits.
Among the owners of the large vineyards
are George Rohm, George Rineman, John
Hahn, Louis Molter and Mrs Katharine
Hahn. All of these vineyards are Oh
elevated places and almost enjoyed immunity
from the frosts All of the vineyards wore
about the same appearance as that of Louis
Molter. In his place not one vine in hundred
was touched. Some young vines that he
had set out last summer were apparently
totally destroyed, but the older ones seemed
entirely unframed. The punches are
already formed, and are about three-fourths
of an inch in length. The leaves are ap-
parently fresh and unframed, and the
punches are in good condition. Mr.. Molter
said:
81 don't believe the crop is injured to any
great extent, but the effects of the frost will
not all be apparent until tomorrow. From
the appearance, however, think there is
no danger here, but the vineyards in low
grounds down the river must have suffered
heavily Still, We can never tell about
grape crop until it is harvested. Last
year we were promised big
crop, but. the fruit rottedI just be-
fore ripening time, although enough
matured to make fair crop. The vineyards
that have just been started are the ones
where there will be the greatest loss. The
older vines are not so much affected by the
Frost
Great Grating on Pear Tree.
One thing in which Mr.. Molter took par
ticular pride was pear tree on which was
already formed four different kinds of pears,
some ounces and a branch containing young
apples. The various varieties had all been
grated on pear tree. Said he: 81 have
found that the finest ounces can be raised
by grating on pear trees, and also that the
pears get an extra flavor by being grated
on a ounce sprout. / do not know what
effect it will have on the apple, and only
hope they will mature"
Fred Schultz, of Wilbert's lane, Mt
Washington, has one Of the largest vine
yards in that district. A walk through it
yesterday made one think that winter had ar
rived. The leaves were so blackened and dry,
and the minute punches of grapes so shriv-
eled up and blighted as to crumble when
touched Mr. Schultz said he had little
over 13 tons of grapes last year, but could
not estimate what would be the output this
wear. A peculiar feature of the frost was
that one branch of vine would be entirely
destroyed and the one next, to it was not
harmed in the least
Mr.. Miller has small vineyard on the
opposite slope from Schutte's that was dam
aged much more that Schutte's, owing to its
exposed position.
Vines That Were Slightly Damaged.
The orchard of Philip Hoffman, Boggs
avenue and Wyoming street, was not hurt
to any extent, very few of, the vines being
injured
A. w. Smith, the florist on Boggs ave-
nue., had but very few vines, and they were
damaged slightly. Mr.. Smith said he
thought there had been very little damage
done the cherries and other fruits were too
far advanced to be materially injured. If
the majority of the people, said he, would
do as the gardeners do and not set out their
plants until after the Goth of May, and not
think that summer is here with the first two
or three ntce days, they would not have
them killed in few days by frost such as
we had last night.
In lower Allegheny the grapes suffered
the same as above. Only vine here and
there was ruined Out Perrysville avenue
and the Brighton road as far as Sewickley
there were but few vines nipped. Operator
Einstein, of the Allegheny police bureau,
said he had seen a number of grape-growers
from those localities, and they all told him
their crops were still safe. The reason they
gave him for the escape was that the leaves |
are so large now that they protect the grape |
punches, and that there is little to be feared |
from frosts now in the vineyards that are |
situated on the hillsides. On the low |
grounds, wherever a vine existed it ceased |
to exist after yesterday.
BOTH SIDES RESTED A DAY.