716 ANNUAL REPORT OP THE Off. Doc. 



Annual A'alue of fruit and piodncc used by canning factories, 

 1150,000. 



The grape and fruit section comprises about 50,000 acres adjacent 

 to Lake Erie. The climate of this strip is so equalized by lake 

 influence, that, to a certain extent, a Northern summer and Southern 

 winter is produced. The temperature is seldom at or below zero 

 in winter or above 90 in summer. No other section of the known 

 world produces Concord grapes of equal quality or quantity. Grape 

 rot has appeared to such an extent, that a serious inroad has been 

 made in the output. Mr. J. B. Martin, of East Springfield, reports 

 a total loss of crop on 65 acres, and an actual damage of more than 

 15,000.00 for the season of 11)02. Most other growers report small 

 loss of 1 to 15 per cent.; a fesv from iJO to 00 per cent. loss. 



The history of other grape sections has been, that sooner or later, 

 grape rot has ruined the industry. Experiments lately carried on 

 in Ohio by the Ohio Experiment Station show, that proper treatment 

 under expert directions will prevent the rot and save the crop, and 

 that the work can be done at a moderate cost per acre. Our grow- 

 ers do not understand these processes; very few of them can fol- 

 low intelligent!}^ the necessarily complicated directions of a printed 

 bulletin. They need and must have practical illustration of the 

 work. 



The business of grape growing gives employment to thousands 

 of people in Erie and adjoining counties in Northwestern Penn- 

 sylvania. It is a business that can and will be increased, if a little 

 aid is given. It is equally true that the industry will be practically 

 ruined if this is withheld. 



There are in this section other lines of fruit growing, in which a 

 little expert knowledge would work wonders. Years ago it was 

 a famous apple country; trees bore regular crops of fine fruit. To- 

 day, their old orchards are going to decay, production is irregular 

 and fruit almost worthless. 



To illustrate: The past season was not a ])r()li(i(' one for apples, 

 not nearly enough good apples being raised for home consumption, 

 hence a good many car-loads were shipped in; while on the other 

 hand a single cider mill in EriQ county ground up over sixty thou- 

 sand bushels for* cider. This condition of ai)])le growing is due to ig- 

 norance of the improved methods of culture and of combating 

 injurious insects and diseases. Many an orchard will prove a verita- 

 ble gold mine to its owner, if he is shown how to handle it. 



Another thing that ^^ill receive attention if experts are sent 

 to the grape country, and that is, the adaptability of this strip 

 1() the beet sugar industry. It has soil and climate to produce the 

 beets to perfection; abundaut i)ure water, cheaj) fuel. Geogra]»hi(al 

 location and tiansportaJion facilities arc unequaled. 



