MARKETING EASTERN" GRAPES. 35 



Concord comprises 50 per cent of the acreage, the Delaware 15 per 

 cent, Niagara 15 per cent, Worclen 5 per cent, Moore 5 per cent, and 

 others, such as the Bacchus, Pocklington, Campbell, Hartford, and 

 the Virgennes, the remaining 10 per cent. 



Methods of Sale. 



All known methods of sale are practiced, but shipment on con- 

 signment in less than carload lots by water freight is one of the 

 most common. As the commercial vineyards are all adjacent to the 

 river, which is navigable as far as Albany and Troy, many growers 

 take advantage of the low freight rate and quick delivery in shipping 

 to New York. Fruit loaded on the boat late in the evening will reach 

 the city in time for business the next morning. The great drawback 

 of this method is that it confines shipments to New York, Brooklyn, 

 Albany, and Troy. The wider distribution of the products of this 

 district is effected by the local dealers and associations. 



At several points local dealers control the situation, buying the 

 offerings of the growers and selling them in carloads " f . o. b. usual 

 terms " or " f. o. b. cash track," preferably the latter, to their con- 

 nections in outside cities. 



A grape-juice factory is established at Highland, which annually 

 consumes a large amount of stock and offers an easy outlet for the 

 products of the vineyards. 



In recent years the growers of this district have formed a coopera- 

 tive association through which their products are sold. This associa- 

 tion has been successful in disposing of its offerings to advantage, 

 and is now one of the most important factors in this district. 



Quality of Pack. 



Damage by insect pests is practically negligible, but fungus dis- 

 eases, particularly black rot, are often very harmful. This some- 

 times results in a poor pack, but on the whole the quality of the ship- 

 ments from this district is good. Two-quart and 4-quart baskets are 

 generally used, most of which are packed in the vineyard. On ac- 

 count of the numerous varieties commonly grown, a practice has de- 

 veloped of packing two or three varieties in one basket, which finds 

 some favor with the fancy trade. 



Market Outlets and Distribution. 



New York is by far the heaviest receiver of Hudson Valley ship- 

 ments, with Boston next in importance. Most of the remaining 

 grapes go to the smaller cities in eastern New York State and in New 

 England and an occasional car is shipped into Pennsylvania and 



