The grape industry of New York had adequate and successful representation at the St. Louis Exposition, as a department of the general Horticultural Exhibit. This industry in New York is one of large and steadily increasing importance. The State ranks second only to California in the production of grapes, and the showing made in the Horticulture building was a revelation to thousands of visitors who there obtained their first knowledge of the extent of the viticulture industry in New York.
This sign was conspicuously displayed over the exhibit of grapes:
"NEW YORK LEADS IN TABLE GRAPES
"600,000 acres; 30,000,000 vines; crop worth $2,763,711 annually."
These figures are from census reports, and represent an advance of 198 per cent in the industry over its condition as represented at the Columbian Exposition in 1893. There is scarcely another such record of increase in the whole range of industries of the United States.
No attempt was made to show viticulture in any other way than by its product, but an almost continuous display of grapes was kept on the tables from the opening of the Exposition to its close. This in itself was a noteworthy achievement, for it included a display of cold storage grapes from the crop of 1903 up to the second week of July, 1904, something never before attempted. A display of forced fruit and early varieties began shortly after that date.
A collection of hot-house grapes grown by Mr. David M. Dunning, of Auburn, was an interesting feature of the grape exhibit and amazed crowds of visitors on account of their size and handsome appearance. The varieties were Barbarossa and Muscat Hamburg. One cluster of the latter variety weighed nine pounds and measured seventeen inches in length, exclusive of stem. This collection of grapes far surpassed anything of the kind shown in the Horticulture building, not even excepting California specimens.
The varieties in cold storage were as follows: Catawba, Diana, Iona, Isabella, Niagara, Salem and Virgennes. Of these varieties, the Catawba and Virgennes kept the longest. They were taken from cold storage July third and placed upon exhibition for a week, at the end of which time they were found to have retained their color and flavor perfectly. This was fully one month later than grapes were preserved at the Pan-American Exposition, notwithstanding the difference in distance between Buffalo and St. Louis from the vineyards. The Diana and Iona were close seconds in keeping qualities, while the Isabella rattled badly and the Niagara showed discoloration, though both retained fairly good flavor.
The display proper of the 1904 crop began early in September. This display was entirely made up of fruit contributed by the growers of the Chautauqua and Keuka Lake districts. These two districts were represented about in proportion to their acreages and products.
The grapes were well wrapped in paper and packed in a new style paper grape basket, furnished by Mullen Bros. Paper Company, of St. Joseph, Michigan. These baskets were packed in spring crates, and the grapes, with a very few exceptions, carried in perfect condition.