MARKETING EASTERN GRAPES. 39 
Severe attacks of black rot seemed to threaten the industry between 
1905 and 1910 and caused the abandonment of many acres, but it 
was soon found that careful spraying would reduce the effects of this 
disease to a minimum. 
The methods of commercial disposition of the crop have gone 
through the usual evolution. In the early days near-by markets like 
Chicago, Lansing, and Detroit received the bulk of the shipments, 
which were usually forwarded on consignment; but now the extent 
of distribution of Michigan's shipments and the strength of its 
f . o. b. market is unequaled in the grape industry of the East. 
ACREAGE AND VARIETIES. 
No accurate or official data are available as to the present produc- 
tion and acreage in Michigan, but the indications are that replant - 
ings have almost, if not quite, equaled the acreage abandoned. The 
decrease in shipments in 1918 was due to a very light yield caused 
by unfavorable weather conditions, and can not be traced to any 
decrease in the number of vines. Substantiating this statement, 
local information puts the average yield per acre at 1-| to If tons and 
the yield for 1918 at two-thirds to seven-eighths of a ton. 
The Concord is here preeminently the leading variety, with the 
Champion and the Moore next in importance. The Worden, Dela- 
ware, Niagara, and other varieties are grown, but their relative im- 
portance is slight. In the absence of official statistics, well-informed 
local opinion places the acreage of the various varieties as follows: 
Concord 85 per cent, Champion 7 per cent, Moore 6J per cent, and 
others 1-J per cent. It is interesting to note that the Champion is 
being replaced by the Concord to a marked extent, as progressive 
growers think that the Champion, which is a grape of low quality, 
reaching the market before any other variety, has a deleterious 
effect on the general consumptive demand. 
The Champion usually begins to move heavily during the second 
week in September and cleans up in 10 days to 2 weeks. The Moore 
Early generally begins from 3 days to a week later, their normal 
season continuing about 10 days. Most of the other varieties are 
shipped late in September. The Concord, which comprises the main 
Michigan crop, begins to move in heavy volume between the middle 
of September and the 1st of October, and usually continues " for a 
period of about a month. 
Marketing Methods. 
The highest development of grape-marketing machinery is found 
in Michigan, and practically the whole crop is sold on an f . o. b. 
basis. 
