132 Kansas Fruits . 



the ashes with their various inorganic treasures, which now reveal 

 themseh'es in kiscious peaches, buttery pears, large, high-flavoi'ed 

 apples, abundant strawberries, and clusters of grapes that rival those 

 of Eschol. 



We have spoken more particularly of the apples, because we had 

 ocular and gustatory demonstration of their excellence ; but the pears 

 and grapes were not all gone, and the canned peaches and strawberries 

 proved what there had been in their season. The numerous vineyards 

 bore evidence of proper attention to this most healthful fruit. Dr. 

 Howsley assured us that the White Doyenne pear matures perfectly in 

 Kansas, never cracking. That country is to be envied where this old 

 favorite's fair cheeks are not deformed with cracks. 



As to grape culture, there can be no doubt of its success in Kansas. 

 The same dry, warm air, which develops the sugar in the apples during 

 the latter part of summer, will mature grapes in perfection. This 

 is not mere theory. We visited the vineyard of Mr. Grant — some two 

 or three miles west of Leavenworth. This is situated on the east side 

 of a bluft', and seemed in a flourishing condition. The Concord is the 

 favorite variety, though the Catawba also does well. Most of the 

 grapes are sold for the dessert, and the price varies from eight to 

 twelve cents per pound. If the supply is more than the demand, the 

 surplus is made into wine, for which no sugar is I'equired. The vine- 

 yard of Mr. .Rivard, covering three acres, yielded an income, in 1S6S, 

 of thirty-two hundred dollars ; and Marcus J. Parrott, the past summer, 

 raised fourteen hundred pounds of Concords on an eighth of an acre, 

 from vines three years old. The numerous wild vines, some of them 

 of great size, running up the trees, also prove that Kansas soil and cli- 

 mate are adapted to grape culture. 



Of course we tasted of the wines made from these grapes ; but w^e do 

 not profess to be connoisseurs in vinous beverages, and cannot give an 

 opinion that will have authoritv. We can only say that they appeared 

 to us light and pleasant, with little, if any, more intoxicating quality 

 than our New ICngland cick-r. 



The Kansas fruit grower is thus far ahead of the pestiferous insects 

 which put in a claim to the fu'st bite at so much of our eastern fruit. 



