450 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ifornia for raisins, grow equally well in those territories; also varieties 

 that produce a fine sherry wine. This is one of the most prominent 

 features of viticulture in Arizona. Mr. J. De Barth Shorb, a prominent 

 vine-grower and wine-maker of southern California, after experimenting 

 in Arizona, reports that the sherries produced there have the true sherry 

 flavor and are made by the natural process; that is, without it being 

 necessary to " bake " them. They not only have the flavor of the Spanish 

 sherries, but also the same excellent qualities. So far, the fine sherries 

 produced in this country have come from that territory. The same 

 authority states that Arizona will be to the United States what Spain is 

 now to Europe. There were in 1889 in Arizona 1,000 acres of bearing 

 vines and 1,500 acres of new vineyards. The product was 2,850 tons or 

 5,700,000 pounds of table grapes, of which 150 tons, or 300,000 pounds 

 were sold to wineries. 



In New Mexico in 1889 there were 1,186 acres of bearing vines and 

 9,000 acres of new vineyards, which produced 296,500 gallons of wine and 

 1,779 tons or 3,558,000 pounds of table grapes. The information received 

 from New Mexico by the census office shows a great advance in viticulture 

 since irrigation has proven practicable. Two companies are building 

 immense canals 45 feet wide at the bottom, capable of carrying 7 feet of 

 water. These canals will irrigate 400,000 acres of as rich land as can be 

 found in the world adapted to the growth of fruit and grapes. Mr. E. G. 

 Shields, a leading horticultural authority, says: " I have tested thor- 

 oughly peaches, apricots, apples, nectarines, and French and German 

 prunes, and am much pleased with their success. I have also planted 

 olives. This is their third year. Reference is here made to the Pecos 

 valley, New Mexico, which for cultivation is yet in its infancy. La Mesilla 

 valley is next in importance. It has about 10,000 acres of vines of new 

 plantings. The Mission variety is grown almost exclusively in this locality, 

 although the Muscat of Alexandria and the Muscatel are grown by some. 

 The varieties that grow successfully in New Mexico for raisins are the 

 Muscat of Alexandria, Muscatel de Gordo Blanco, and Sultana, and for 

 wine the Zinfandel, Mataro, Cabernet, Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Mis- 

 sion, Petite Pino, and Chasselas Fontainbleau. I feel assured that in two 

 years there will be 100,000 acres of grapes in the Pecos valley. I have now 

 about 20,000 vines (33 acres) in fine condition, and will add 100 acres." 



The industry in New Mexico and Arizona is as yet too young to speak 

 of its possibilities, but the start already made seems to justify all that the 

 pioneers are claiming for it. 



L~ California. — There are fifty-three counties in California, nearly all 

 producing grapes in a greater or less degree, the larger proportion of them 

 producing wine for home consumption or export. There is an established 

 demand for this wine to the amount of 1,000,000 gallons per month from 

 this country alone, making 12,000,000 gallons annually, and an exportation 

 to foreign countries of 311,920 gallons in 1889, valued at $217,093. 



California may be divided into three grape-growing districts: The Coast, 

 which includes Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Alameda, Santa Clara, and Santa 

 Cruz counties; the Sierra Nevada Foothill and Sacramento Valley district, 

 which includes Placer, El Dorado, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Yuba, Yolo, 

 Butte, Sacramento, and Tehama counties; and the Southern district, which 

 includes San Joaquin, Merced, Fresno, Tulare, Kern, Ventura, Santa Bar- 

 bara, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. 



In the first district the finer grades of white and red dry wines are made. 



