186 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



In this connection it may be stated that one fourth of all the green fruit 

 shipped from this State was sold in Denver. It is certain that the popula- 

 tion dependent upon that distributing center is not more than 500,000. 

 The reason of this large consumption was owing to the fact that Colorado 

 was within reach of the cheap freight rates, and these cheap rates brought 

 the fruit within the purchasing capacity of all classes. Judging from these 

 cheap freight results in Colorado, the new low rates will create a demand 

 for our fruits that it will be impossible for us to supply for the next ten 

 years. Such is the past and present of the deciduous fruit-growing in Cal- 

 ifornia. 



RAISINS. 



Raisin grapevines were planted early in the American occupation, and 

 with the most successful results. It was soon demonstrated that with the 

 best varieties, good tillage, and skillful manipulation in curing, we could 

 produce equally as good, if not better raisins than those imported from 

 Europe. There were more favoring conditions and circumstances attending 

 the raisin production than the growing and marketing of deciduous fruits. 

 We produced raisins in no other part of the United States, and, therefore, 

 there was no home competition. Raisins bore transportation better, and 

 could better await sale than green fruits. Under these influences the produc- 

 tion increased from a few hundred boxes to 470,000 in 1885, with large areas 

 of raisin vines planted and coming into bearing this and next year. The 

 quality of the product has more than kept pace with the increased quantity. 

 It is now acknowledged that we produce and prepare as fine raisins in this 

 State as any country of the globe. Inasmuch as we import annually more 

 than 3,000,000 boxes, and our annual product has not reached more than 

 470,000 boxes, there is a wide margin before we reach the limit of pres- 

 ent demand. The increase of the population of the United States will 

 increase the demand as fast as we can increase our raisin vineyards. As 

 the present prices, which seem likely to be maintained, make this branch 

 of horticulture very profitable, the future outlook is very bright. 



WINE PRODUCTION. 



I am not in a position to give the figures of the present wine production 

 of this State. Wine, like raisins, had peculiar advantages over other 

 branches of horticulture. If there was not an immediate market, it could 

 keep for a better market, and improve with the keeping. It bore long 

 transportation without loss or injury. In the early years of the history of 

 wine-making on this coast the lack of the better varieties, the absence of 

 skill in manufacture, and the want of faith on the part of wine-consumers, all 

 combined to give California wine a bad repute. Better varieties of grapes 

 have been introduced, skill and experience in manufacture have been ac- 

 quired, unfounded prejudice has been conquered, and California wine has 

 become popular at home and abroad. As the popularity has grown, the 

 area devoted to growing wine grapes has increased. The product has also 

 increased from thousands of gallons to many millions of gallons. The 

 demand for California wines has rapidly increased in the Eastern States, 

 and in proportion to that increase the importation of foreign wines has de- 

 creased. Judging from the past, the near future will see California wines 

 entirely take the place now held by the foreign product. Certain it is that 

 at present there is not enough good wine of sufficient age in this State to 

 supply the present eastern demand. It is almost as certain that the demand 



