Daily Kennebec journal., 1893-04-05
GRAPE GROWING.
THOUSANDS or BASKETS OF. FRUIT
SHIPPED EACH YEAR.

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SHIPPED EACH WEAR.
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About fifty years ago. a. the story Is
told by some Of Chautsuqua's older res
idents, young French nobleman On 6
visit to America happened in the region
Of Chzutsuqua county. He became in
fstnated with the waters Of Lake Erie
the besutifnl hills that slope gently to
ward it from tbs receding country. and
over which breezes saturated with the
fragrance Of Chaufauqua's vegetation
and imbibed With the purities Of Chau-
tauqus lake gently pass Es claimed
that this region was especially adapted
for the raising OF grapes. and prophesied
that IN the future II 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 lass ten or fifteen
years, but that it would pass on and
take its place among the scores Of other
prophetic remarks that had been made
relative to the same subject.
The Chantaugua grape belt, as it has
long been known, is strip OF territory
that extends along the shores Of Lake
Erie for about fifty miles. averaging in
width from two to four miles. 1t has
long been known az fine fruit growing
country. owing to the peculiar climatic
and other natural advantages that it en-
joys. 1t 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
tho long. hot summer until late in the
fall, and the breezes that issue from it
continually are moistened with its
warmth. thereby Teventing the frosts
Of early fall that have already killed the
vegetation over the hills from depositing
their destructive 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 wherestill.
damp days are prevalent. 1t 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
breezes on the vines. and this retartls the
opening Of the buds until all danger of
frost is past. The soil also is another
important factor III the successful grow
ing Of grapes.
The inhabitants Of this belt were for a
long time in ignorance of the superior
facilities with which they were supplied
Small fields Of grapes were set sat. b,i!
owing to the absence of good care ;snG
sufficient attention they failed to reward
the owners for their toll, and therefore
they uprooted their vines and raised souIe-
thing that was more profitable and for
which they could find more ready mar
ket. There were among this nupibfr
however. some that were more persist
ent. and it is-to these that tie idea o.
grape growing in this LEGALITY owes its
origin. They tried repeatedly TO pro-
duce them. invented methods of cultiva
ton. devoted time and attention to it.
and their efforts were ultimately crowne,
with success. Their grapes began to be
in demand. not only locally. but in all
parts Of the sountry.
At the present time there are about
$1,000 acres of vineyards in bearing in
this county. and between 4. .OC0 and ). COO
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 raw for
the vineyard, including labor and land
and there is never a year when a vine
yard of Concortls will not yield IA profit
able crop. 1t is sincerely advanced by
many men engaged in this industry that
in the future every available piece of
property in the grape region, except lust
sufficient to provide crops for the sub
sistence of the people, will 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 unbrokep expausa of
vineyards, stretching ont from the hills
that border on Chautauaua lake to the
blue waters of Lake Erie.
The larger number of 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
wards consisting of from twenty-five to
thirty-five acres. On these whole families