PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF GRAPES IN THE 

 CHAUTAUQUA BELT 



S. J. LOWELL, FREDONIA, N". Y. 

 Master, New York State Grange 



FOUNDATION OF THE INDUSTRY 



In considering the history of the grape 

 industry in the Lake Erie Valley from the 

 marketing or financial viewpoint, we are 

 at once confronted with the fact that the 

 advent of certain varieties was the founda- 

 tion for a remarkable increase in grape cul- 

 ture. Until about 1865 a few grapes had 

 been grown, such as Catawba, Isabella, 

 lona, Diana, and Clinton, these being used 

 mostly for wine. 



The advent of the Concord was the factor that at once gave 

 impetus to the growing of grapes as a successful and standard 

 branch of agriculture. Of the Concord, I have this to say : 

 When first introduced it could always be picked by the middle of 

 September; but now, from the indiscriminate selection of wood 

 for propagation and the removal of all growth of the previous 

 year large wood and small wood from weak vines as well as 

 strong this grand variety is slowly breaking down and revert- 

 ing. The time is now ripe for the introduction of a new variety 

 that will supersede the Concord. I know many will dispute this, 

 and I hope they may, in order that the fact may be brought more 

 forcibly to the minds of propagators of the grape. 



About 1885, Mr. Jonas Martin, of Brocton, sent out the offer 

 that he would pay five dollars each for every cluster of Concord 

 grapes that should weigh a pound. With visions of easy money 

 the writer started for the Martin farm with a shoot bearing three 

 clusters, the three weighing three pounds and two ounces. On 

 his arrival he found that three or four early birds had already 

 appeared and that Mr. Martin had withdrawn his offer. In 



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