USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York > Part 50
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FERTILIZERS .- The care of soil in viticulture is a matter of great import- ance, and for many years the study as to the best fertilizers for growing and properly maturing grapes has been one of increasing interest. Before pre- paring this paper the writer was careful to obtain the views of the best informed vineyardists of the belt, and the concensus of opinion was decidedly marked. As to the use of barnyard manures there seems to be a slight differ- ence of views, a few using them on young and growing vines only, as at that stage of their growth nitrogeneous food seems more especially needed. These however are but exceptions, a very large majority of vineyardists using them freely, yet careful not to push them beyond the "mildew line," each one using his own judgement in this regard, and as to the soil to be fertilized. But as to commercial fertilizers there seems to be but a single opinion, and this formed from actual experience, as to the needs of the soil, the needs of the vine for early and even maturity, and the needs of the fruit as to the evenness of ripening on the vine and cluster, and its perfecting generally, and that is, raw bone and potash, in some form and quantity, whatever the soil. The following, furnished by request, by J. A. H. Skinner, of Brocton, an experienced vineyardist, is so expressive of the sentiments of vineyardists throughout the belt, as per reports to the writer, that it is with confidence presented instead of his own experience or opinions.
ist. The best fertilizers for a bearing vineyard are, raw bone and muriate of potash, 400 lbs. of bone and 200 lbs of potash to the acre, sowed broadcast in the spring, and cultivated or plowed in as soon as the land can be worked. 2nd. Barn-yard manures, rotten or green, ten tons to the acre, spread over the vineyard in the fall and plowed under in the spring. I have used barn- yard manure for the past thirty years and am satisfied that they do not produce mildew, and that they are in no sense detrimental to the fruit or foilage These manures are better adapted to sandy or gravelly soils, the bone and potash answering a better purpose on other soils. 3rd. Liquid manures, applied very early in the season with a cart spinkler, ten barrels to the acre. In this, care should be taken not to put on too much, as it might burn the roots ; or it may be put on the
427
GRAPES.
nmck heap and be spread with the shovel or fork. No fertilizer contains a greater per cent. of ammonia. 4th. Kainit, 1,000 lbs ; wood ashes. 2,000 lbs; leached wood ashes 4 or 5 tons, either one of these to the acre, as they leave about the same amount of fertilizing principle ; they will give splendid results. They should be sown broadcast early in the spring and culti- vated in as soon as the land will do to work. Salt, 300 pounds to the acre, sowed broadcast early in the spring, and cultivated in as soon as the land can be worked, can be used with great benefit to the vine. It is not a fertilizer, but helps to retain the moisture during the dry weather, keeps the ground sweet and free from worms and mould. Air slacked lime, 4 or 5 barrels to the acre, is one of the best applications to keep the land and vines free from insects, the soil loose and in good condition for the roots to take up the plant food. Salt and lime can be sowed broadcast, care being taken that too large a quantity of salt is not used, as the roots may be injured. Lastly. Put in the vineyard all you can get from around the barn, pigpen and hen house, put in leaves and muck from the woods; put in coal ashes, soap suds, and do anything that will build up the soil, for in the soil the roots must find their food. Do not use phosphate, as it will stimulate the vines to an overgrowth, and is a robber of the soil. In planting a vineyard, use the best brand of ammoniated bone, about one pound to the root ; put over the root three or four inches of soil, then put on the bone and fill with carth to the level with the ground.
Bone and potash in some form are the two articles more especially empha- sized in every report from vineyardists throughout the belt. A few prefer the potash in the form of hard wood ashes. Raw bone, though slow in its effects, seems to be preferred to any other form. If there is any failure in the paper of Mr. Skinner, from which the above quotation is made, it is in not discrimi- nating sufficiently as to soils in applying fertilizers. The impression how- ever is, and possibly stated sufficiently clear, that mannres should be used upon light and gravelly soils, and the potash and bone upon the loam and licavier soils. He continues : "It is without doubt true that spraying will prevent mildew and black rot. For the black rot, use the bordeaux mix- ture, viz: dissolve 12 lbs. of sulphate copper in 25 gallons hot water ; slack eight lbs. of fresh lime in 20 gallons of water and when cool pour it slowly into the copper solution and mix by constant stirring. Use 45 gallons to the acre, spraying first before the leaves appear, then once in 12 to 15 days.
For mildew, use the ammoniacal mixture, viz : dissolve 2 lbs. carbonate of copper in 2 gallons of hot water, mix with 43 gallons of water, and add I quart of commercial ammonia, 22° Baume, mix the compound thoroughly and use 45 gallons to the acre, spraying just before the grapes bloom, again when the fruit is about the size of bird shot, then once in 15 days until the fruit begins to color."
One young and enthusiastic vineyardist writes : " Put up your vines on high wires, keep your vineyard free from weeds and keep a good circulation of air through and under the vines and you will have little to complain of by way of mildew."
SHIPPING AGENCIES .- The culture of grapes along the south shore of lake Erie continued to be an experiment for some years, but when the raising of grapes became an industry of Portland and other towns, an outside market became a necessity. The mass of the people of our entire country knew little
428
HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.
of this fruit and were yet to be educated to its use. Previous to the build- ing of the winehouse of Fay, Ryckman & Haywood, at Brocton, in 1859, when there were but 20 acres of bearing vines in Portland, and not over forty acres in the entire belt, the fruit was taken to market by teams or shipped in round boxes, (afterward in basket lots) mostly to Buffalo, Canada and New York. The baskets held 20 pounds. As early as 1844 grapes were shipped by boat to Buffalo and Canada from the Fay homestead, and it is remembered that people seeing them in the market did not even know the name of the fruit. The oil regions of Pennsylvania early became a market, and continued to be the principal one until after 1875 when the area of bearing vines demanded a more extended market. From about 1875 Jonas Martin of Brocton had shipped small lots to Philadelphia as way freight, and in 1877. shipped a full car lot. This was said to be the first car lot shipped in west- ern or central New York ; in fact believed to be the first in the state. The next year 16 car lots were shipped to the same market by Jonas Martin and G. E. Ryekman and with success. From this time the industry grew apace ; each year a small army of local shippers and growers were busy in disposing of their fruit. Chicago had become a market, and that distance was as far as it was thought prudent to risk such perishable goods. When in 1882, Fay, Smith & Crosby sent a car lot to Minneapolis, it was called a foolish risk, but it was received in good condition. The first car lot sold on the track was by the same parties Oct. 3, 1883. So little is on record, and so little remembered in regard to shipments up to 1886, that their further considera- tion is reluctantly passed by. The means for shipping and disposing of grapes had not kept pace with the growth. Individual interests, local ship- pers and small combinations were the only agencies for the disposition of the immense growth of fruit. In 1885 the necessity for better facilities was seen by a large majority of growers, and February 14, 1886, was formed " The Chautauqua Grape Growers' Shipping Association," with 184 members. The officers for the first year were : president, A. S. Watson, Westfield ; secretary, G. W. Marsh, Portland ; directors, G. W. Marsh, F. G. Arnold, G. S. A. Farnham, Spencer Munson, A. S. Watson. That year 103 car lots were shipped through this agency. A trade mark was adopted in 1887, when there were 287 members. Pooling was first adopted in 1888, when 350 members were registered. In 1889 there was a radical reorganization of the association, the trademark was changed and registered, placing the organization on a legal basis. This association filled its purpose until the organization of the "Chautauqua and North East Grape Union " in 1892, and in March 1893 it was disbanded. There were other shipping associations formed as "The Ripley Grape Growers' Shipping Association," and the " Western New York Shipping Association." Beside these there were a large number of individ- ual shippers.
429
GRAPES.
At the close of the season of 1891 it was seen that the shipping interest had grown to such proportions, and had become so numerous and varied that it became a necessity to unite as far as possible the various organizations and individual shippers. Thus far there had been no concert of action. Local jealousies and a constant fluctuation of prices occurred, and a favorable market caused a rush of fruit to that point by several shippers at the same time ; prices were reduced, and the grower was dissatisfied. Buyers could not operate with safety, and there was so much of friction and uncertainty attending the work of the associations, as well as individual shippers, that a large majority of growers became convinced that some organization more stable and commanding in its character ought to be inaugurated. For months discussion, and comparing of views had been going on, especially in Westfield, concerning the formation of a shipping agency to include the entire belt under one management. A meeting was held in Westfield, in January 1892, in the interests of such a movement. A conference was had with the other towns of the belt, and delegates were elected from each town to a meeting to be held in Brocton in February, with full powers to form a shipping association, viz : An agency for shipping grapes for the entire belt under one management. The delegates were chosen on a basis of one to every 750 acres of bearing vines, and represented every interest of the grape- growing section. At the meeting held at the opera house in Brocton, " The Chautauqua and North East Grape Union " was formed, which was incorpo- rated with main office at Brocton. The first officers were : president, Prof. A. N. Taylor, Westfield ; secretary, F. N. Randall, Ripley ; financial secre- tary, Augustus Blood, Brocton ; treasurer, R. A. Hall, Brocton ; chief sales- man, Jonas Martin, Brocton ; general inspector, J. A. Tennant, Ripley ; executive board, A. N. Taylor, R. J. Quale, G. W. Blaine ; directors, R. A. Hall, Ernest Buckner, S. F. Nixon, O. M. Hall, W. R. Miner, R. J. Quale, Rev. B. E. Hillman, Prof. A. N. Taylor, F. N. Randall.
The capital stock consisted of 2,000 $5 shares. There were 1,400 taken, 1, 366 growers each held one share, and the directors five shares. The stock is distributed as follows : Perrysburg, 24; Hanover, 85; Dunkirk and Ark- wright, 17 ; Sheridan, 136; North East, 130; Ripley, 105; Westfield, 255; Portland, 326; Pomfret, 288.
The specific business of the " Union " for 1892 commenced September 9 and closed November 21. There were 1,845 cars shipped in the 62 working days as follows : North East 139; Ripley 125; Ripley Crossing 100; State Line 37 ; Westfield 299; West Portland 81 ; Portland 194 ; Brocton 381 ; Pomfret 53 ; Fredonia 254 ; Van Buren 63 ; Sheridan 57 ; Silver Creek 47 ; Forestville 13 ; Perrysburg 2. Of these 1,646 were sold upon the track before moving and went to the west, some even to Seattle and other cities of the far west, and the remainder consigned to Boston, New York, Philadel-
430
HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.
phia and Providence. The number of baskets shipped were 5,372,640. The amount of cash received by the "Union " for 1892 was $938,687.39, an average of 17.47 cents per nine pound basket. The result of the manage- ment of the " Union " for the first year was, in a main, eminently satisfactory. As now seen, (1893), the organization has started out upon a correct business principle. In 1892 there were shipped through other agencies 500 car lots ; and probably 19 car lots taken to market by teams. The winehouses report 43 car lots made into wine, making 2.407 car lots, 7,009, 184 baskets, as the crop of 1892.
From the small beginnings of this industry in 1824, to the splendid results of 1892, a period of 68 years, the growth of the grape industry in the Northern Chautauqua Belt has been phenomenal. Taking the output of vines for the past six or eight years as the basis of an estimate, within the next ten years every available acre of the 122,SSo within the belt will be covered. Whatever the future has in store for this industry, in the end sup- ply and demand, in this as in all things else, will bring to growers the golden mean and a fulfillment of every laudable desire.
CAPITAL. INVESTED .- AAs to the amount of capital invested in viticulture in the Chautauqua belt there seems to be but little conception. The average value of vineyards, including packing houses, etc., will not materially vary from $250 per acre. In this estimate the vines are considered well put up and bearing. As to vines set and yet to be put upon the wires, with posts and wire included, the estimate of average value may be $16o per acre. The following will show acreage, average valuation, and the total invested in vineyards :
TOWNS.
Acreson vines.
Value.
Acres not on vines.
Value.
Total.
Ripley,
1.774
$ 443,500
1,000
$ 160,000
$ 603.500
Westfield,
3,00
750,000
2,000
320,000
1 070,000
Portland,
6,000
1,500,000
1,200
192,000
1,692,000
Pomfret ..
,(xx)
500,000
500
80,000
550 000
Dunkirk,
300
75,000
16 000
91 000
Sheridan,
175,000
300
45 000
223,000
Hanover,
200,000
300
48,000
245.000
Arkwright,
50
12,500
500
So 000
92,500
Perrysburg.
75
18,750
125
20 000
35,750
North East,
2,500
625,000
1,500
240,000
865 000
Harbor Creek,
240
60,000
60 000
17,439
4.359,750
7.525
1.204 000
$5 563 750
The amount invested in winehouses, wine making, etc., is estimated at $150,000 ; the wine and brandy contained in the wine cellars of the belt, and private cellars reported, is 375,000 gallons, with an average value of 75 cents per gallon, total of $281,250, making $431,250 invested in wine, wine houses, etc., and a grand total invested in viticulture in the northern Chautauqua belt of $5.995,000.
We now give the amount of the grape crop for 1893 and the prices
431
GRAPES.
received. Owing to various causes, more especially the financial stringency, the price was less than in 1892. The cultivation of the vine has extended over so large a portion of our country that a return to the prices of even three years ago is not probable. The car lot shipments for 1593 were 3,094 car lots : North East 392 ; Ripley 413 ; Westifield 44512 ; Portland 991 ; Pom- fret 49514 ; Dunkirk 7044 ; Sheridan 90; Hanover 194. North East includes Harbor Creek ; Ripley, State Line and Forsyth ; Westfield, West Portland ; Portland : Brocton, Concord, Prospect and Pomfret, (Shanghai) ; Pomfret : Fredonia, Laona, Van Buren and part of Dunkirk ; Hanover : Sil- ver Creek, Forestville and Perrysburg.
As many as six cars were shipped by express companies or taken out by teams, so that the crop marketed was not less than 3, 100 car lots. The average number of nine pound baskets per acre was 3,000, making 9,300,000 baskets or $3,700,000 lbs. The average price was 12 16 cents per basket, mak- ing the amount received $1, 162,500.
CHAUTAUQUA .- The town of Chautauqua has been purposely left to the last as it is not in the grape belt proper. It lies south of the crest of the highlands called the southern boundary of the belt, and the climate is not favorable for the grape. There is a lack of that fine flavor to the fruit so essential in a table grape, though it is said there are two or three small vine- yards directly in the line between lakes Eric and Chautauqua and near the head of the latter that have a reputation for fine flavored fruit nearly or quite equal to any section, but as a rule the climatic influences do not favor such development, yet the town must be named as a part of the grape producing territory of the county. William Barnhart planted a small vineyard of Con- cord roots on the east side of Chautauqua lake near the head in 1877, and in 1879 introduced the Niagara for which the season proved too short. In I^93 there were about. about 50 acres of bearing vines in town, only three acres being Niagaras. The Potter family have 10 acres; Thomas Hutson 3; Eldred Lott estate 2; William Russell, 3; a Mr. Adams 5; Wil- liam Barnhart estate, (E. J. Scofield) 12 acres, with one or two other cultiva- tors. The section occupied is about the head of the lake, extending but two or three miles on either side, mainly on the east. The average yield is reputed 2 12 tons per acre. About one-eighth of the fruit is made into wine. The first fruit was marketed in Isso. In 1881 the growers realized Is cents per nine-pound basket. E. J. Scofield has a winehouse established in 1945, with 7,000 gallons of wine in his cellars, manufactured mostly from the Con- cord grape. It is not probable that grape culture will ever be extensive here.
1
432
HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.
CHAPTER XLIV.
THE CHAUTAUQUA ASSEMBLY SUMMER SCHOOLS.
BY REV. H. H. MOORE.
T HE magnitude which the Chautauqua scheme of education has attained, demands that a particular statement of its origin and growth, as an honorable part of Chautauqua history, be made public while the parties to the enterprise are yet living. The principal actors are yet on the stage, and probably there is not a fact in the case that is not fresh in the memory of different persons, " all of which they saw, and a part of which they were." As early as 1855 people began to talk about the beauties of the Chautauqua lake region, and the lovers of Indian lore gave fresh study to the signification of the now famous name given by the Seneca Indians to this land-locked sheet of water, leaving, however, the problem unsolved. The great camp-meetings which the Methodist and other denominations held dur- ing the past hundred years in this country had demonstrated the feasibility of handling and instructing great crowds of people in the grove. The lovers of the woods and outdoor life had established permanent campgrounds at Martha's Vineyard and other places in different sections of the country, built elegant cottages, and besides the week of religious service spent a month or more amidst these rural delights. The leading Methodists of Western New York were awake to what was going on in different localities, and imagination often wandered longingly to Chautauqua lake as a delightful place for a future camp-meeting home.
In 1865, on his own motion, at his own expense, and without suggesting his purpose to any one, the writer visited the famous Round Lake camp ground, on which Dr. John Inskip was then holding a great camp meeting, largely for the purpose of studying the situation, as an aid to the formation of a judgment in regard to the desirability of securing a location on Chautau- qua lake as a permanent campground for the accommodation of Western New York, Western Pennsylvania, and Northern Ohio, the territory covered by the old Erie conference. He found Round Lake a " thing of beauty; " the cottages were tasty and elegant ; the people intelligent, refined and devout ; and a higher development of humanity he had never met. The oldtime hospitality of tent holders had been superseded by boarding tents, and all persons enjoyed the privilege of paying their own way, a change beneficial
433
THE CHAUTAUQUA ASSEMBLY.
for all parties. The week following our return, at a camp-meeting held at Dayton in Cattaraugus county, arrangements were made to survey the shore of Chautauqua lake, select the most desirable locality, and make a purchase.
Within the year 50 acres were purchased at "Fairpoint," three miles below the head of the Lake for $10,000. A charter was obtained from the N. Y. Legislature and a Camp-meeting Association organized with Sardius Steward, Esq., president, Dr. H. H. Moore, vice-president, and Rev. Henry Leslie, secretary. The enterprise was placed under the direction of the Erie Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. The first camp-meeting was held in July, 1870. The noted Dr. and Mrs. Palmer were present, and greatly aided in the services. The camp-meetings of 1871 and 1872 were more largely attended, distinguished ministers occupied the pulpit, and the exercises were fully reported in the Buffalo dailies and the county press.
At the camp-meeting of 1873, Dr. Jolin H. Vincent and Lewis Miller of Akron, Ohio, submitted to the camp-meeting association a written proposi- tion to hold on the ground the next year a "Sunday School Assembly " to continue two weeks, and their request was granted. The scheme of instruc- tion indicated that it had received much thought and discussion. It pos- sessed so few camp-meeting elements that evidently it was a new scheme of general, but especially Biblical, education. That a camp-ground, rather than a church or a hall, was selected as the most suitable place for carrying for- ward this complex work is due to the suggestions of President Miller. The mechanical skill, liberality, and broad views of this gentleman had appeared in many ways, and especially in the erection of a church in Akron, which, as far as known, surpassed all others in its conveniences for normal class and bible class-work, and its general Sunday school arrangements-it was a model
.
often copied since. The M. E. Sunday school in that city, under his super- intendency, was firmly held upon the front line of the advancing times, if not, in some respects, far in the lead. While present at a great camp-meet- ing at Canton, O., in 1871 he noticed that the one idea of evangelism pre- vaded the services, and it was clear to his mind that this order of services under the changed conditions of the country was not to continue long. What then was to become of the time-honored camp-meeting. Was nature to be allowed to lend its inspiration only to ball plays and public beer-gard- ens? All that remained of the primitive camp-meeting where churches abounded seemed to be the hallowed recollections of the past, and the remaining yearning of humanity for a brief term of life in the grove-" God's first temple." The thought entered the mind of Mr. Miller with peculiar force that the great assemblage before him could be handled, not only for prayer, song, and preaching, but for bible study and for general literary culture. He saw that a hundred Akron Sunday schools and the students of a dozen
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HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N. Y.
colleges could be taught on a first-class modern camp-ground anything that it was needful for them to know. Was this merely a happy thought, or was it a stroke of genius, or was it an inspiration from on high? Or was Mr. Miller the agent of providence for the further evolution of the primitive camp- meeting, by broadening its scope and elevating it to a vastly broader if not a higher plane? His mind felt the force of two vast ideas ; the one was the preservation of outdoor culture of an unlimited character; the other the agency of the grove in combining recreation with the culture of science, litera- ture, and religion. Mr. Miller is a lover of nature, and studies it as the first edition of revelation. In the open air, breathing the aroma of the forest, and listening to the songs of the birds, he feels an inspiration that never pene- trates the cell of the monk, nor does it always find its way through the stained-glass windows of the costly temple.
As far back as 1855, Dr. Jolin H. Vincent, now a bishop of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, then the pastor of a church in New Jersey, began to break over the bounds of Sunday-school work, and make large additions to its range of instruction. He had been engaged in this work for IS years, making additions and improvements, when he visited the Chautauqua lake camp-meeting with Mr. Miller. His labors had been characterized by patient and exhaustive thoroughness, by a genius for system and organization, and by the ceaseless use of the public press. He had preserved thus copies of his schemes, courses of study, plans of organization, examinations, entertain- ments, diplomas and of all the means he adopted to give success to the local church sunday school. He made much use of " object-lessons," such as dia- grams, maps, charts, models and other scenic representations. Ever working at the bottom, or with first principles, perpetual development and freshness were the result. Even at that early day, examinations, public exhibitions, . promotions and diplomas held a conspicuous place in his plans of study. He became early a recognized leader in sunday school work, and different denom- inations adopted his methods. His own denomination attached such value to them that he . was detailed to travel from conference to conference, and expound the new system. As a consequence the blackboard and amateur artists were soon found in every Sunday-school in the church. As early as IS61 Dr. Vincent had a thoroughly matured scheme of general instruction which he was eager to give to the church and the world. It was thus set forth :
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