New-York tribune., 1895-07-21
CHEESE ROLLING ON STATEN ISLAND
A MUSCULAR AND skiLFUI. ITALIAN CAN WIN
MANY rOuNDs OF rARMEsAN.

MANY POUNDS OF pARMEsAN'
A favoritc sport among the better class ~ Ital-
ians in New-York is cheese rolling. In the
rural districts OF this country II used to be tho
custom some fairs and merrymakings to stick
cheese on the .oIs OF tall poe. The coun,rymen
would ali try their hardest 10 shin up the pole to
capture the cheese. and the successful man walked
off with his prize. In the Italian game the success
ful man walks off with the cheese. but he does not
climb any pole for Il. The winner Is he who can
roll the cheese furthest and to him be.ong the
checses OF the other contestants.
Just back OF South Beach there s an Italian hotel
with picturesque arbor facing on the road. This
arbor which Is covered with vines. IS extensive
and is used as n dning-room by the guests. The
Italians who come from a over Ncw-fork city 20
witness take part in the cheosc-rolins contest
first OF al dine in the great vineclad arbor. Ihey
feast to their hearts content on mnestra. olives,
spaghetti fresh veal stuffed and other Italian dishes
The stone tables heaped with italian dainties
and bottles OF the imported wines so dear to the
average Italian. II IS not 70 be supposed that zee
cream venders and "hokey pokey' men are among
the diners. They portly BARRIERS, wine merchants
and prosperous business men. Imported wines are
too expensive for the fruit venders and peanut men,
vho besides cannot afford to miss their Sunday
trade for II is only Sundays that the cheeso-roii-
ins contests held
After the dinner everybody HOOKS 10 'ne loa'
side where the cheese rolling takes place ieVei
strip of road Is necessary. ihS must pe Vi 'o''H"
erable length The cheeses are wound round with
band OF. cotton which Is grasped by the player ana
enables him 10 swing the cheese with considerable
force Parmesan chceses are used. on account OF
their hardness and the ;oughness OF the oack ,.. III
The cheese are worth 20 cents a pound, ana they
weigh from 10 to 40 pounds apiece any nuins, oi
people can play at least as many as nave cheeses,
for the contestants supply their own cheeses ana
the winner takes the lot ~. ..o.o
Each payer winds the band round ms cheese,
and with a mighty effort sends the heavE u's.
bowling along the road. From the point "here IL
stops nc throws Il again. and the payer co,,i.ns
the greatest distance in four throws WINS All tne
other cheeses Some OF the good players can cover
an extraordinary distance with even htaI! ch'cSe,
twenty pounds or more A Brooklyn l'aiah' VINO
Is considered champion. has sent ms 'necS' wv
feet In a single throw. He has stocked MS sloio
with Parmesan cheeses. and sold good many 10
his less fortunate competitors. The cheescs are eN-
pens!ve and a cheese OF ordinary SIZE VIII easily
be worth s.
Sometimes a cheese will strike stone with such
force as 10 smash II all to pieces despite the tough
ness of its rnd. When this occurs which Is sellon
q wall goes up from the crowd and the nniortunatr
owner uses more forcible words In hve minutes 'hah
he will I. the rest OF the week. -
II tie cheeses do no; break the rolling Is said 20
improve them. Though the rolling looks easy. a
trial will convince the novice TO the contrary Inc
cheese will probably travel about twenty feet ana
then ignominously roll into the ditch After the
contest IL decided the players retire TO the cllihs-
room and fight their battles again. verpaliy, over
TASKS of Chianti The scene furnishes pretty Htte
picture OF Italian ife when the swarthy sons OF
Italy make up their minds 10 enjoy themselves