The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-01-19
GRAPE GROWING.
Thousands Of Baskets Of Fruit
Shipped Each Year.

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chautauaua County's Grape Belt-Growth (
Of tho Industry and Its satisfactorysPr Prof
;sits-A. French Nobleman's Prophetic
Forecast.
About fifty years ago, as the story is
told by some of Chautauquas older res
idents, a young French nobleman on a
visit to America happened in the region
of Chautauqua county. He became in
fatuated with the waters Of Lake Erie,
the beautiful hills that slope gently to-
ward it from the receding country, and
over which breezes saturated with the
fragrance Of Chautauqua's vegetation
and imbibed with the purities Of Chau-
tauqua lake gently pass. He claimed
that this region was especially adapted
for the raising Of grapes, and prophesied
that in the future it would be notable
for that industry. At the time this
statement was made it was not generally
supposed that. it would be demonstrated
as it has been in the last ten or fifteen
years, but that it would pass on and
take its place among the scores other
prophetic remarks that had been made
relative to the same subject. ;a
s. The Chautauqua grape belt, as it has
long been known, ID a strip of territory
that extends along the shores of Lake
Erie for about fifty miles, averaging in
width from two to four miles. It has
long been known as fine fruit growing
country, owing to the peculiar climatic
and other natural advantages that it en-
joys. It is constantly under the vigil Of
Lake Erie and under the protection of
the hills that overlook it.
The broad, shallow basin of Lake Erie
retains the heat that is collected during
the long, hot summer until late in the
fall, and the breezes that issue from 1t
continually are moistened with its
warmth, thereby preventing the frosts
Of early fall that have already killed the
vegetation over the hills from depositing
their destruetive influence on the grape
crop and allowing the vines to ripen their
Sweet juices. They also prevent fogs
and many other detrimental influences
that are injurious to the fruit where still,
damp days are prevalent. It is to this
popularity that the grape industry owes
its success. In the spring also the lake,
with its crust Of ice, distributes its cold
brsezes on the vines, and this retards the
opening of the buds until all danger of
frost is past. The soil also is another
important factor in the successful grow
ing of grapes.
The inhabitants Of this belt were for
long time in ignorance of the superior
facilities with which they were supplied.
Small fields Of grapes were set out, but
owing to the absence Of good care and
sufficient attention they failed to reward
the owners for their toll, and therefore
they uprooted their vines and raised some
thing that was more profitable and for
which they could find more ready mar
ket. There were among this number,
however, some that were more persist
emit, and it is to these that the idea of
grape growing in this locality owes its
origin. They tried repeatedly to pro-
duee them, invented methods Of cultiva-
ton, devoted time and attention to it,
and their efforts were ultimately crowned
with success. Their grapes began to be
in demand, not only locally, but in all
parts of the country.
At the present time there are about
10000 acres of vineyards in bearing in
this county, and between 1000 and 5000
more planted and growing. This i'm
mense increase in acreage is owing to the
confidence that is placed in the product;
three years crop will entirely pay for
the vineyard. including labor and land,
and there is never a year when vine
ward of Concords will not yield a profit
able crop. It is sincerely advanced by
many men engaged in this industry that
in the future every available piece of
property in the grape region, except just
sufficient to provide crops for the sub
sistenoe Of the people, win be devoted to
the culture of grapes, and that the whole
line of vision from northeast to Silver
Creek on any Of the various railroads
will be an almost unbroken expanse of
vineyards, stretching out from the hills
that border on Chautauqua lake to the
blue waters of Lake Erie.
Inc larger uuulUoI u vineyards CON-
sist Of from five to ten acres, and are
maintained more for the purpose of per-
sOnal luxury and amusement than for
financial results. Next to these are vine
yards consisting Of from twenty five to
thirty five acres. On these whole families
find occupation, and if properly cared
for they will yield an income of from
$1,000 tos$1 800 annually. Above these
are several vineyards Of from fifty to 100
acres. the largest two in the county be-
ing those Of r. J. Quale,. of Silver Creek,
and the Hanover Grape company. They
consist of 11o and 106 acres respectively.
They are about "a mile from Silver
! Greek and are within short distance of
each other. They present a beautiful
spectacle with their long, straight rows
stretching out for a mile on each side of
the road, and one that cannot be realized
by persons who have never seen it,
The time required for q vineyard to
bear is three years, at the end OF which
time, if it has not been neglected, it will