534 



PROSPECTS AND PROBLEMS FOR THE GRAPE GROWER. 



The foregoing particulars seem to strongly indicate that 

 it may prove unsafe to plant extensively here (as may be 

 done in the case of the tree-fruits) for the supply of the 

 more northern markets. 



My personal experience in commercial viticulture is 

 too limited to justify advice as to the handling of vine- 

 yard crops, beyond the very general outline that the aim 

 should be to grow as few imperfect bunches as possible, 

 and to pack mainly in small, attractive packages for the 

 retail trade.— T. T. Lyon. 



A CHARTERED COMPANY OF FRUIT-GROWERS. 



I do not apprehend much immediate danger of over- 

 production here, as the territory in which we can grow 

 grapes successfully is limited, while the part of our coun- 

 try that must be supplied from it is large. If the Cana- 

 dian government should remove the duty our markets 

 might be over-stocked from the United States. Still I 

 would not advise too heavy planting for commercial pur- 

 poses among vineyardists. 



We market grapes in lo-pound baskets, and do our 

 own commission business, as we have a chartered com- 

 pany of fruit-growers who employ agents of their own in 

 all of our principal markets. Each shipper and stock- 

 holder is charged lo per cent, for the sale of his fruit, 

 and in this way we have the sales in our own hands. If 

 there is any profit in the commission, it is shared by the 

 stock-holders. — A. M. Smith, Ontario. 



PROSPECTS FOR THE CROP GOOD— NO DANGER OF 

 OVER-PRODUCTION. 



The outlook for the grape-business for this season and 

 jn this locality is good. There is some mildew, but far 

 less than in 1890. The grape-clusters are well advanced, 

 and the prospects for prices fair. The apple failure will 

 help the sale of grapes. 



As to over-production, if all the lands well adapted to 

 grape-culture in the United States were planted with 

 grapes, they would be capable of producing more than 

 the 65,000,000 people could consume. But it is not at 

 all probable that there will be such extensive planting as 

 to more than keep pace with the increased consumption 

 for the next ten years. Immediate danger of over- 

 production is possible, but not probable, 



"Can you conscientiously advise continued heavy 

 planting for commercial purposes?" Yes. Just so long 

 as bananas are sold in all our northern towns and villages 

 by the wagon and car-load we say, plant grapes. The 

 capacity of our people to consume grapes is only just 

 beginning to be tested. What we want is to improve 

 their quality, to cheapen and quicken transportation and 

 to extend the season. Every northern market should be 

 supplied with fine grapes from June until January, and 

 in abundance. Our people have only been eating grapes 

 for two months ; they ought to be supplied for six. 



Grapes should be ripe but not overripe for marketing, 

 and should be packed in g-pound and 5-pound baskets, 

 with the name of the grower and a printed guarantee of 

 quality on every basket cover. Then, when the express 

 and freight-men learn the difference between handling 



grapes and cord-wood, the fruit m ly reach the consumer 

 in perfect order. The legitimate market for Chautauqua 

 grapes reaches from Augusta, Maine, to Galveston, Texas, 

 and from Baltimore, Maryland, to Denver, Colorado. 

 Our first business, however, is to perfectly supply mar- 

 kets lying within a radius of 200 miles. 



Fruit-growers need to tone up on honesty. They 

 should put up honest goods in first-class order, stop 

 growling at commission-men, and improve the quality of 

 their fruit. Have a perfect understanding with your 

 commission-house. Let the house know what you have, 

 and just when it will be shipped. Make daily reports, 

 use the telegraph, get acquainted with a trustworthy firm, 

 and stick to it. It is possible to have good, faithful, con- 

 scientious producers and shippers at one end of the route, 

 and good, prompt, honest dealers at the other end ; but 

 there must be mutual and continual understanding and 

 cooperation. — S. S. Crissey. — Chautauqua Co., N. Y. 



OVER-PRODUCTION IMMINENT — GOOD WORDS FOR 

 COMMISSION-MEN. 



When the price received for the grape crop is little 

 above the cost of production and marketing, it is fair to 

 say that there are more grapes produced than are being 

 consumed. Grapes, being perishable, must be placed in 

 the consumer's hands as soon as they are ripe. Being 

 largely eaten out of hand, the consumer must be satisfied 

 that they are wholesome ; otherwise consumption stops. 

 When we remember the sprayed-grape scare of 1891, we 

 see the result commonly called over-production, but 

 which is, in fact, under-consumption. Taking for a 

 basis the average sales of grapes in the last three years, 

 the price received, as compared with the cost of produc- 

 tion, will lead any one who contemplates planting to look 

 carefully to all surroundings, climatic conditions, facili- 

 ties for marketing, etc. Unless all these are very favor- 

 able, costs will exceed receipts. The market is well sup- 

 plied with grapes now, and unless the would-be planter 

 has exceptional facilities, he had better not plant heavily 

 for commercial purposes. 



As to the condition and shape fruit should be in for 

 market, the standing rule in the packing-house on the 

 Esperanza vineyards is that all fruit must be ripe, fresh, 

 and choice when packed. There are all sorts and con- 

 ditions of packages for grapes, but the great bulk of the 

 crop is marketed in 5 and lo-pound "Climax" baskets. 



Some commission-men are, without doubt, honorable 

 and honest. Satisfy yourself that you have such a man 

 for your consignee, then stick to him. He may not 

 always get the highest prices, but I am certain he will 

 average up all rigiht. Your fruit may leave your hands 

 in good condition, but it is perishable, and numberless 

 unlooked-for causes may detract from the beauty and 

 freshness it should have when it leaves the grower's 

 hands, necessarily causing it to bring a smaller price 

 than was expected. I am inclined to think the commis- 

 sion-men are often charged with negligence and dishon- 

 esty of which they are not guilty —Geo. C. Snow, Yates 

 county, A'. Y. 



