HARDY GRAPES. 41 



generally, though not always, alternated with small ones, but 

 through judicious thinning the quality has been satisfactory 

 considering the variable seasons. In the whole of my experience 

 there have been three total failures. The entire destruction of the 

 foliage before ripeness, previously mentioned, in 18G0, was followed 

 in the years 1875 and 1888 by seasons so cool and uncongenial 

 that, although the fruit had all the outward appearance of perfect 

 maturity, it contained so little sugar as compared with the 

 accompanying acid, that not a berry was fit for sale except for 

 cooking purposes. This was through no fault of mine, and 

 therefore no apology is called for. 



In consequence of the enormous extension of the industry, the 

 prices brought in market have constantly tended downward, from 

 twenty-five cents per pound, net, in 1866, the highest which I ob- 

 tained, until tons were sold in 1893, at a fraction of over one 

 cent, from which freight and commission w^ere to be deducted. I 

 do not mean to say that any of mine were sold at these lowest 

 figures, but the markets have been abundantly supplied with fairly 

 eatable fruit at extremely low prices. This condition of affairs is 

 due to two things. One is an unusually large product, and the 

 other is the effect of what is variously called a panic, a business 

 depression, or a want of business confidence, that resulted in 

 depriving multitudes of people of the power of purchasing even 

 so cheap a luxury. It is a strange and lajnentable state of things, 

 when the very abundance of earth's products must lie and rot and 

 waste, while thousands who would gladly utilize and enjoy it can- 

 not, in consequence of enforced economy through compulsory idle- 

 ness. 



In view of the present situation, what is the outlook for the 

 future? Is it expedient for a person in this State to set a vine- 

 yard, large or small, in the expectation of deriving from it such 

 an income as would be fairly remunerative as compared with other 

 crops or businesses? I know of several cases where the owners 

 have taken out and destroyed their vines within two years, and of 

 others who are contemplating such action. I hardly feel like 

 advising such a move, and yet it depends upon circumstances. It 

 is evident that there can be no profit in growing grapes in this 

 region, for market, where the net prices obtained do not reach at 

 least two cents per pound. There have been many tons sent to 

 market that did not realize that and yet brought all that they were 



