Can Grape Growing he Overdone? 



229 



points upon which he rests his objec- 

 tions. We did not assert that Concord 

 grapes " could be sold from the fruit 

 stand at 4 cents per lb ;" but that at 

 4 cents net to the grape grower, they 

 would still bring $250 to the acre. 

 This, if the}^ retailed at 6 cents, would 

 leave a margin of one-third for pack- 

 ing, freight and commission, which we 

 think should be sufficient. We have 

 formerly paid 10 per cent, commission 

 to dealers to effect our sales. We can 

 average 7,000 lbs to the acre, which 

 would, at 4 cents net, be $280. De- 

 duct from this $30 for contingencies, 

 losses, etc., and wc have $250 clear. 

 Let friend Engelmann observe that 

 this is, in our estimation, a very low 

 yield. We have had the Concord 

 produce 25,000 lbs. and over to the 

 acre, but these were exceptions, not 

 the rule. We still think 10,000 lbs. to 

 the acre a low average yield here, but 

 we wish to make the lowest calcula- 

 tions, so as to be on the safe side. 



But our friend wants to know from 

 us the cost of establishing a vineyard, 

 doubtless for the purpose of ascertain- 

 ing whether grape-growing, at a re- 

 turn of $250 per acre, will pay. AVe 

 will treat his questions in the same 

 rotation as he has numbered them. 



Q. a. The value of an acre of ground 

 suitable for grape-growing will be 

 difficult to ascertain. The Bluffton 

 Comj)any has paid for its lands, which 

 in our opinion are among the finest to 

 be found for that purpose, an average 

 price of $17 per acre. But we do not 

 suppose that land can be bought, on 

 an average, for that amount. Let us 

 then estimate the average cost, in its 

 raw state, at $50 per acre. 



Q. h. The cost of preparing an acre 



of ground must also necessarily differ. 

 Whether the land is old cleared land, 

 prairie, or woodland, will of necessity 

 make a material difference. But let 

 us put it, if it is woodland to be cleared, 

 including grubbing, clearing, plowing, 

 fencing and planting, at $100 per 

 acre. 



Q. c. Price of vines planted will also 

 differ with the variety to be planted. 

 As we have taken the Concord as an 

 instance, let us take the average cost : 

 planted 6 by 10, 726 to the acre, at 

 $40 per 1,000, $26.04; or, for the sake 

 of round figures, $30. 



Q. d. Cost of cultivating until bear- 

 ing. This will also vary with soil, 

 location, wages, etc. We would to 

 the best of our knowledge estimate it 

 thus : $10 the first year, $25 the sec- 

 ond, and $75 the third year; total 

 $110. 



Q. e. Cost of trellis per acre. This 

 will also difter with price of wood, 

 wire, etc. Let us take the average : 

 400 posts, 3 by 3 inch, 10 cts....$40 00 

 eSOlbsofNo. 12wire,10icts.... 68 25 

 Setting posts and putting up 



wire 15 00 



$123 25 

 Let us say $125 per acre. 



Q. /. Annual cost of cultivation of 

 bearing vineyard. We think $80 per 

 acre about an average here. Now, let 

 us recapitulate : 



Cost of land .$50 00 



Cost of preparing ground 100 00 



Price of vines. 30 00 



Cost of cultivation first three 



V years .....110 00 



Cost of trellis .-125 00 



$415 00 

 Yield of vineyard per annum, $250 ; 

 from which is to be deducted interest 

 at the rate of 10 per cent., $41.50; 



