72 



THE GRAPES OF XEW YORK. 



in regions where there are strong currents of air the dreaded black-rot 

 and the mildew are not nearly so harmful. Winds may be beneficial, too, 

 when they bring warm air, when moisture laden, when they keep frosty 

 air in motion, and possibly they have an effect on some small insects as 

 the leaf-hopper. On the contrary they may be detrimental when too dry, 

 strong or cold. Natural or artificial windbreaks may greatly modify the 

 effects of wind currents though their value is usually overestimated as 

 their benefits arc often offset by the undesirable conditions caused. 



Lastly, the prevalence or lack of insects and fungi in a region may 

 decide its value for viticulture. In several instances flourishing viticul- 

 tural industries have been destroyed in this country by insects or fungi, 

 or both. In other regions the present supremacy of commercial grape- 

 growing is almost wholly due to the fact that neither insects nor fungi are 

 seriously troublesome. The advent of spraying and a better knowledge 

 of the life histories of insects and fungi are lessening the importance of 

 the parasite factor in determining the value of a region for grape-growing, 

 but it is still of high importance. 



We are now prepared to take up a discussion of the grape regions of 

 New York. 



The states in which the growing of American grapes takes the rank 

 of an industry are, according to the census of 1900, in order of production: 

 New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Mis- 

 souri, Georgia and Oklahoma. The value of the product in the leading 

 state was $2,763,711; in the last named state, $128,500. American viti- 

 culture, so far as native grapes are concerned, is almost wholly confined 

 to twelve states. But viticultural interests are still further localized. In 

 New York the industry is divided into four great regions, the Chautauqua 

 district, the Central Lakes district, the Hudson district, and the Niagara 

 district. In Pennsylvania and Ohio grape-growing is largely confined to 

 the shores of Lake Erie; in Michigan to a small district about the towns 

 of Lawton and Paw Paw; m Missouri, Hermann is the representative 

 point for grape culture. 



