1865. 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
59 
THE lONA AID ISBAELLA VINES, 
And matters connected with them of Importance to Purchasers 
of Vines. 
1st. The charges against C. AV. GRANT, of 
stupendous fraud in liastening the rlpenins of the 
lona and Israplla grapes by means of "forcing arrangements 
of glass," etc, " which hastened their maturity three weeks 
In advance of those grown without sucli arrangements." 
/3d. The publication of these charges in the 
Olkio Farmer, under the signature of "Pccouic," and In 
the American Agriculturist, by the same party, over his own 
name. 
3d. The Greeley Piiies, and the aivard of 
the One Hundred Dollar Prize to the lona. 
The charges, or, rather, insinuations by Mr. Byram that 
this award was dishonestly and corruptly made, implicating 
the Committee, Mr. Greeley, and C. W. Grant, in the perpe- 
tration of a gross fraud. 
4th. The same charge, more covertly made 
in tike American Agriculturist, when Inti'Oduclng 
the accusation of Mr. Byram. 
5tJi. The claim of the American Agricul- 
turist that it should not be held as a prin- 
cipal Party In the Libel against C. W, Grant, Implying 
its right to publish accusations the most destructive to repu- 
tation and business, under the plea that It does not know 
them to be false, and that it entertains no malice against 
the accused. 
6th, The fallacy and ^vrong of this Flea, 
and the Opinion of one of the most able Le- 
gal gentlemen of Nc'w-Yorlc upon the subject. 
7tli. Tbe accusations of ** Piracy '* and 
"Humbugging" against C. "W. GRAJVT, for al- 
leged copying and imitatiu:^ plates, and also of using some 
of the identical plates of a book Published by A. S. Fuller, 
on the Vine, In his own (C. "W. Grant's) Publications, named 
severally, Descriptive Catalogue, Illustrated Catalogue, and 
Manual of the Vine. The trutli shown to be quite the 
reverse. 
8th. Charges of Deception and unbusinesslike 
conduct In claiming to prodnoe better vines, by additional 
care and expense for garden and vineyard, tlian those ordi- 
narily produced by nurserymen. 
9th. Concerning the advocacy of new and 
peculiar theories, and new and peculiar methods of 
c«ltlvatiug and training Vines in garden and vineyard. 
10th. Is the present desire to plant the best 
Icinds for family supply an<l for market, and 
also for ivine, unreasonable, and ^vhat will 
be the result of it T 
lltli. "Where can be found, precise, accu- 
rate and intelligible Descriptions of all of 
our Native Grapes, that are worfliy of notice, so stated 
that an ordinarily intelligent reader may learn their char- 
acter, quality and relative value. 
ISth. tTpon %vhat peculiar conditions of 
merit arc the claims to Public Attention of 
the Descriptive Catalogue, Illustrated Catalogue and Man- 
ual of the Vine founded, and which are said to constitute 
them a thorough and comprehensive treatise on the vine? 
The foregoelng twelve heads require each an extended 
chapter for the fall consideration, which tlie subjects em- 
braced at present demand. This would require more room 
than the advertising columns of a periodical not specially 
devoted to the Vine, can furnish. There are other heads of 
equal, or even greater interest, not named. One of which 
is the History and Management of all of the Israella and 
lona Vines, at lona Island, showing fully and fairly their 
deportment under given circumstances, from the beginning, 
up to the present time. Another is, an account of the man- 
ner In wliich these Seedlings were produced, by which hints 
will be furnished to others of the course ot proceeding to 
produce other improved kinds by "thorough breeding," 
which Is undoubtedly the only method by which a hardy 
stock, perfectly adapted to this country can be obtained. 
I have prepared a pamphlet of twenty-four pages in wjiich 
all of these matters are briefly, but clearly treated, and in a 
manner calruhit'-d to give a true Impression in regard to 
Grape Cnlture in all its aspects, whether for wine or for ta- 
ble—for market or for family supply. 
In this pamphlet, the distinctive characteristics of the 
lona and Israella, In which they greatly excel all other 
grapes for market and for table use, are clearly represented. 
The Israella being the earliest grape of excellent quality, 
and at the same time a good keeper, producing abundant 
crops unfailingly, as grown In the open ground under the 
ordinary circumstances of cultivation, or rather under cir- 
cumstances less favorable than those of ordinary garden or 
vineyard culture. 
The lona is also represented as very early in ripening, and 
as the only American Grape of large size that is equal to the 
best European kinds, in sweet, rich pmity of flavor, and uni- 
form tenderness and excellence of flesh quite to the center, 
and at the same time remarkable fortheearliness and abund- 
ance of production, and its certainty of perfect ripening un- 
der the conditions of ordinary cultivation in full exposure In 
open air. Mr. Byram states that " to his personal knowl- 
edge" this earliness and excellence of quality was produced 
liy "forcing arrangements of glass and walls, or screens 
combined, by which the quality of the fruit was greatly Im- 
proved, and the time of ripening hastened at least three 
weeks." 
These charges, if substantiated, fix upon my character 
an accumulation of guilt that is most painful to contemplate, 
comblping falsehood in its most treacherous form, with cheat- 
ing that is worse than robbery. The effect upon the Public 
will be to destroy general confidence in all engaged in the 
business, and upon myself, the Ineffaceable brand of Infamy 
will be stamped, involving in lasting shame all that own 
any connection with me. 
These accusations were published in the Ohio Farmer, un- 
der the signature of "Peconic," and in the Amerinan Asrrlcnl- 
turist by the same party, under bis own name, H. P. Bj*ram. 
One of the prizes ofTered by Mr. Greeley, under certain 
conditions for the leading fruits. Apples, Pears and Grapes, 
was awarded to the lona Grape, by the Committee of the 
Fruit D epartment of the American Institute, in Sept. last. 
The award of this important premium of One Hundred 
Dollars Mr. Byram represents as having been dishonorably 
and corruptly made, implicating the Commit tee, Mr. Greeley, 
and C. W. Grant, itt tlie perpetration of a gross fraud. The 
charge Is pointedly made, but the precise form of the crime 
is not given. The same cliarge, more covertly, but not less 
certainly, is made by the American Agiiculturist. Tliis 
is also a matter of much importance, and I would hereby 
call upon the whole Committee to state to the Public not 
only whether any dishonorable or corrupt action or influence 
was manifested by myself, or in my behalf, but wliether any 
such influence came to their knowledge t>'om any quarter, 
and if so, what was the form and purport of it. 
I would here state, that no such transaction as is repre- 
sented, ever took place between Mr. Greeley and myself, and 
that I never paid, or procured to be paid to Mr. Greeley, or 
to the Tribune Association, any money except what was ap- 
plied for advertising, for which I have sent several sums of 
One Hundred Dollars each, and often much larger. 
Tlie claim of the American Agriculturist, that it should 
not be held as a principal party in the libel against C. 
W. Grant, is not to be entertained for one moment, and 
the plea that a character blighted, and a business destroy- 
ed, can be restored by a discussion on equal terms witli 
tlie destroyer, with the Editor's whole weight thrown 
adversely at the beginning, and tlie calumniator placed with 
his falsehoods and wicked purposes, not only before, but 
also above his victim, by giving the presumption in favor 
of the accu'ser. The Editor Is forgetful of the principle 
upon which the proverb of acknowledged wisdom is 
founded: "A malicious lie will travel many leagues, while 
truth is getting ready his sandals, and will be hospitably 
entertained where truth will be shut out." 
A case in point is ready at hand. A few weeks since a 
report was published in a leading paper representing me as 
a falsifier and swindler on a large scale. A full and com- 
plete refutation followed immediately, prepared and signed 
by men disinterested and of high and well known character. 
The malignant part of the report was copied in all parts of 
the country, with added venom, but the refutation not once. 
The fallacy and injustice upon which the plea of the Agri- 
culturist is founded, are well disposed of in the following 
letter from one of the most eminent gentlemen of the New- 
York Bar, having this particular case in mind. 
NEW-roRK, Jan. 12th, 1865, No. II PIne-St. 
Dr. C. W. Grant. 
Tfear ,5i7'.— Nothing can be better established in law than 
that the Editor of a paper Is responsible for everything that 
he admits into its columns, whether he is the author or not. 
If he permits libellous matter to be published, he must re- 
8i>ond in damages to the extent of the injury inflicted, what- 
ever that may be. 
He is not permitted to shield himself by the fact that the 
injurious publication was made without his knowledge or 
consent, for the conductor of a public paper is bound by the 
highest obligations, to see to it that so powerful an engine as 
the press is not used 'by others, for wicked purposes. Ho Is 
bound to know before he suffers anything to be published 
that it is (rHC, and must answer for it If it is not, though 
actual malice on his part, can not be Imputed to him. If the 
publication isfulfie. malice is always presumed from that fact, 
and the PIditor wlio lends his columns to the defamer can 
overcome that presumption only by showing a degree of 
carelessness on bis part which is equally obnoxious to the law. 
Tours truly, "WlLLtAM FtrLLEKTON. 
In defending myself against the charge of unfairness and 
dishonesty, under the Tth head, I must necessarily become by 
Implication the accuser of A. S. Fuller. My publications con- 
taining these plates were chiefly made years before his 
book appeared, and of course could not have been taken 
from it. On the contrary, so many of the plates on the man- 
agement of the vine were my own fused without permission 
or one word of acknowledgment)— that If these were taken 
from his book, together with those copied or closely imi- 
tated, few of much value would be left. To my mind It Is a 
flagrant case of violation of right, that should have been pros- 
ecuted. Concerning the numerous erroi's into which he has 
fallen through ignorance and inexperience, i shall speak 
elsewhere. 
In answer to the 8th I would say that T was not only the 
first that practised the method of propagation that by 
tliorough trial is proved and admitted to be the best, but was 
for several years alone In it, and that all of the numerous im- 
itations now found in different parts of the countrv niav be 
said to have grown out of mine. I may also safely sav that 
no one has nearlvetinalled mine in extent and means of pro- 
ducing the best vmes for garden and vineyard planting. 
The idea and purpose upon which I engaged in the under- 
taking, and to which I have persistently adhered, w^as the 
PRODUCTION' OP THE BEST PLANTS TO BE AFFORDED AT TUE 
ruEAPEST rates to the people generally, makine the business 
a SPECIALTY, and giving abundant means, with my whole 
care and attention to that end. 
When after lone study, careful observation and extensive 
trial. I have learned what is best for those who wish to plant 
for any given purpose, and have produced a stock of surpass- 
ing nualitv, there is no way apparent to me by which the 
public may be reached to enable it to be benefitted by them 
except bv'stating truly and precisely the character of what I 
have to offer. I have done this so long and so extensively, and 
by doing so have disseminated such a vast number of vines 
thronsnont every part of the country, that my jurors (the 
Furcliasers) must now be ready for remleririg a vei'dict. 
have recommended first class vines (that have been 
produced with great care and cost, and such as I felt assured 
were of unequalled qualilv). as the best and cheapest to pur- 
chasers for vinevards. as well as for gardens. 1 have produced 
large stocks of Delaware vines of this class for many years, 
increasing the number as the demand consequent upon their 
goodness and reputation increased. 
Last fall MOKE than sit entire stock of DELAWARE AND 
Diana vines for vineyard planting were ordered at 
THE BEOiNNiNO OF THE SEASON. This I acccpt as a vcrdictiu 
mv favor, and above all as a sood omen for the succi-ss of 
viiie culture. Tlie demand for vines of the best class of these 
kinds for family supply has also vastly increased, as was to 
have been expected from the education of the public taste. 
This is not surprising to those who have learned the excel- 
lence and value of good grapes. 
As to the flth I can only say here the subject of vine cul- 
ture has been of exceeding Interest to me from mv child- 
hood, and that I had long been familiar with the principles 
and practice of the cultivation of both native and foreign 
kinds before saying one word to the public concerning 
either, and when I spoke it was according to my own care- 
fully wrought out experience, the reproach of which is not 
severe to bear. Mv publications have been the outgrowth of 
mv own personal practire,and made because I thought them 
suited to the punlic need at the time. I have never ad- 
vocated any new theory, nor have I claimed the invention 
of any new system or methods of training. My labor has 
been to explam and teach to bcirinners those wliich have 
been well known and established for ages. 
I have scarcely touched upon the subjects of the three last 
heads here, but the matter is fully treated in the pamphlet. 
All of these minor imputations have been in circulation a 
long time, being thought unworthy of notice; but when tiiey 
culminated in charges of stupendous fraud I could no longer 
forbear. C. W. GRANT, 
lONA, Jan. 18, 1865. 
