488 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



intelligence and expert knowledge. The figures represent, however, 

 only the averages of very widely diverging extremes. In some years 

 the prices received are so good that the least skillful of the growers 

 make a li\nng, and the more skillful buy automobiles. In other years 

 the prices are so low that many growers fail to receive enough to pay 

 for harvesting their crops. This uncertainty of returns is very discour- 

 aging to the grower and prevents him from making those improvements 

 in his methods which the proper development and future prosperity of 

 his business demand. 



The result is that too large a proportion of our viticultural output is 

 of inferior quality. Too many green and moldy table grapes reach the 

 Eastern markets ; too much common and milk-sour wine is offered to the 

 people who ought to consume the product of our vintages, and too many 

 of our raisins lack the proper sugar, flavor, texture and size. In spite 

 of these facts, all phases of the grape industry in California have 

 increased with great rapidity during the last fifteen or twenty years. 

 This increase has been due to our exceptional advantages of soil and 

 climate and to the immense size of our natural market. However, we 

 have done little to take advantage of our favorable conditions or to 

 develop our markets. The industry has progressed in spite of our lack 

 of properly directed efforts, and many growers have failed to receive 

 any benefit from the development of their industry. 



What do we need to improve this condition of things? AVe need, 

 first of all, intelligent business co-operation on the part of the grape 

 growers and of the manufacturers and handlers of grape products. By 

 this means the currant growers of Greece, who were on the verge of 

 starvation owing to the low prices received for their product, have 

 raised the profits of their industry until it supports a large proportion 

 of the population and pays a large proportion of the expenses of govern- 

 ment. By similar means the grape growers of Argentina have kept the 

 price of their wine grapes at between $26 and $52 per ton without any 

 injury to the business of the winemaker, and while much improving the 

 quality of their product. 



Besides this business co-operation, we need, almost as much, great 

 improvement in the general methods of our growers, packers and wine- 

 makers. The grower who, by care and intelligence, produces, packs and 

 ships table grapes which arrive at Eastern points in excellent condition, 

 is much handicapped by the masses of green and moldy grapes shipped 

 by the careless and the ignorant. The winemaker who, by careful choice 

 of varieties and the use of modern, scientific methods, produces a wine 

 that is equal to the best of Europe, has to struggle against the bad repu- 

 tation which Californian wines have obtained through the large propor- 

 tion of spoiled and inferior wine produced by growers and winemakers 

 who know, and apparently care little about, the varieties or methods 

 necessary for good results. Similar conditions exist in the raisin busi- 

 ness. Great general improvements are possible, both in the quantity 

 and quality of the crops of our raisin vineyards. 



