PROCEEDINGS OP THE FARMERS* CLUB. 255 



" I wish to buy a farm for the purpose of g-rowing grapes and line fruit, 

 and as near New York as consistent, but I am uninstructed as to the local- 

 ities where the Catawba will ripen with g-eneral certainty, and that is one 

 of the kinds I wish to cultivate. I should have the greatest confidence in 

 your opinion. Please state if the vicinity of Milford, Conn., or Darien, 

 Conn., on the shore, or New Rochelle, will answer for the purpose. Is 

 Plainfield, N. J., suitable ? I see farms for sale in those sectiong. I am 

 g-etting young vines in readiness for grape growing — say the Delaware, 

 Hartford Prolific, Catawba, Isabella and Concord. Should like you to name 

 kinds that you would recommend." 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — I cannot recommend any of the localities named 

 for the Catawba, " where it will ripen with a general certainty," though 

 it will do so occasionally in all of them; but that kind of uncertainty will 

 never answer for a man who depends upon the fruit of vines as a crop. I 

 have said to my correspondent that Delaware, Concord and Hartford Pro- 

 lific will flourish in the localities named, and in favorable situations the 

 Isabella, but that is not to be relied upon under all circumstances. I have 

 also said to him that plenty of good vineyard land can be bought, within 

 an hour of this city, at $100 an acre, and that a man can do Avell growing 

 grapes, if he understands it, either to sell the fruit or to make it into wine. 

 As this is an important question, I ask opinions of other members of the 

 Club. 



Prof. Mapes. — I have given great attention to location in many sections 

 of New Jersey, especially in the south part, where land can be bought at 

 from $5 to $15 an acre, within two hours of New York or Philadelphia. 

 This land has remained unoccupied because it has been held out of market 

 by large proprietors, until very lately, and has been thought to be unfer- 

 tile because of its sandy appearance on the surface. Now it is found that 

 there is clay enough to make a very productive and an easily worked soil, 

 which will produce grapes or anything else. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — The remarks of Prof. ^Nfapes probably might 

 induce Mr. Stephens to locate on the cheap lands of New Jersey. As I 

 understand the letter, the gentleman wishes to locate in Connecticut or 

 Westchester county. A number of varieties of grapes can be grown in 

 these places. It is necessary that the soil should be well drained, either 

 naturally or artificially. The Concord and Hartford Prolific are grapes that 

 will make excellent wine, and will return a good profit from the outlay. 

 Brandy has been made from the Concord that has been sold for eight dollars 

 per'gallon. I would not recommend either the Isabella or Catawba. The 

 Delaware is a good grape, and one that gives general satisfaction; but 

 it will cost a large amount to set out a vineyard. 



Mr. A. L. Smith said that he had grown Catawba and Isabella for twenty 

 years, and neither ripens oftenef than once in three years, and he intends 

 to abandon them for Concord, Hartford Prolific, Delaware and€linton. With 

 these varieties, the gentleman can succeed in any of the places named, but 

 not with Catclwba. 



Prof. Mapes said that there are but few varieties of grapes in this or any 

 other country that will make first rate wine, and some good wine grapes 

 will not make good brandy. This is the case with the Madeira wine 



