86 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



a world wide reputation, and this reputation may justly be increased, 

 rather than lessened, Iry the improvement in the quality of this grape in 

 our favorable climate, it becomes a matter of the highest importance to 

 our vintners to inquire as to the policy of making it a leading feature in 

 California vine culture. 



A few reasons in favor of planting the Catawba grape for wine pur- 

 poses may be briefly stated : Catawba wine has already obtained a last- 

 ing popularity. This grape will grow at a higher altitude in our moun- 

 tains, and not suffer by frost, than any other wine grape. It also will 

 flourish within the sweep of the cold ocean winds and fogs, unaffected 

 by mildew. Finally, no other grape possesses so many elements for a 

 wine of commerce, because its individuality of flavor is rather increased 

 by age than lessened. It will also be an invaluable kind to mix with the 

 Mission grape, to give the wines of the latter what they are most defi- 

 cient in — boqnet and flavor. A significant incident took place during 

 the examination of two competing samples of Catawba wine by the 

 committee, which was illustrative in a marked degree as to what consti- 

 tuted the real merits of Catawba wine. The samples were of the same 

 age, and one of them when poured out into a glass was very clear, nearly 

 white, and had evidently been well handled. Its competitor was of a 

 dingy, cloudy hue, but it possessed in a far greater degree the strong 

 flavor of the Catawba grape. To the latter was awarded the preference 

 by the committee, solely on the ground that it tasted more like the Ca- 

 tawba grape. Indeed, this sample of highly flavored Catawba wine 

 excited more commendation than any other variety of wine on exhibi- 

 tion. 



Objections are made to this grape because it is not as prolific a bearer 

 ' as the Mission grape; but when it becomes known that the Catawba 

 never fails to produce a crop in all situations and seasons, and besides, 

 when wines shall have become cheap, it will then be an object to grow 

 such kinds as will make a high priced wine, for the defieit in quantity 

 will be more than compensated by quality, and the lessened cost of labor 

 in handling, cooperage, and storage. 



At the outset of planting a vineyard, it is of the utmost importance 

 to plant the most valuable kinds of grapes, as the difference in the cost 

 of plants will in any event be trifling, while the after value of a vine- 

 yard when in full bearing will be double or quadruple, if not more. 



ENTRIES OF WINE AND BRANDY. 



B. N. Bugbey, Folsom, Sacramento County : 



Hed wine of eighteen hundred and sixty-one and eighteen hundred 



and sixty-two, from the Mission grape. 

 "White wine of eighteen hundred and sixty-two, from the white 



Malaga grape. 

 This is a mountain vinevard, low clown amons; the foot-hills. 



J. T. GodJrey, San Francisco : 



Eight kinds of white and red wines, mostly the product of Sonoma 

 Yalley, of several vintages. 



C. "Weil. Sacramento: 



White and red wines. 



A sample of brandy, grown by C. F. Scholl, Anaheim, Los Angeles 

 County. 



