116 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EXPERIMENT STATION. 



In spite of California's superb advantages as a grape-growing 

 region, statistics show that our average crop per acre is considerably 

 less than that of Algeria or many parts of the south of France, 

 and is hardly superior to that of Burgundy or the Rhingau. On 

 the other hand, the crops on our best vineyards, vineyards which are 

 handled properly, with due regard to our special conditions, are 

 unexcelled anywhere in the world. 



Two things, therefore, are urgently needed. First, the diffusion of 

 special viticultural and enological knowledge, and second, the scien- 

 tific and practical investigation of our peculiar problems. Since 1876 

 the Agricultural College at Berkeley has given more or less attention 

 to the work of instruction and research in viticulture. At first Prof. 

 E. W. Hilgard conducted this work almost single-handed, and, as in 

 so many other departments of agriculture, laid the solid foundations 

 which have contributed so much to the improvement of our cultural 

 methods. From 1880 to 1894 the Viticultural Commission did much 

 to instruct our grape-growers and wine-makers in the theory and 

 practice of their arts. 



Since 1894 the only institution in California in fact, in the United 

 States which has given special attention to viticulture has been the 

 Agricultural College and Experiment Station of the University of 

 California. The work has been carried on somewhat spasmodically, 

 owing to the lack of regular appropriations. At some sessions of the 

 Legislature provision has been made for this purpose; at others it has 

 been omitted. 



This uncertainty of support makes much of the work which ought 

 to be done impossible, and all of it more difficult. Experiments are 

 commenced, observers are trained, but, before the most valuable results 

 are obtained, the work has to cease for lack of funds. When a new 

 appropriation is made, new observers have to be trained and much 

 of the experiment work has to be recommenced. This results in loss 

 of time and efficiency and a much smaller output of valuable infor- 

 mation than would be possible if there could be more continuity in 

 the work. 



The Legislature of 1905 set aside $10,000 for the furtherance of 

 viticultural research during the two years commencing July 1, 1905, 

 and a considerable amount of progress has been made. 



Besides the work of investigation carried out under the provisions 

 of the bill passed by the last Legislature, the regular viticultural work 

 of the University has been carried on. This work is, in the main part, 

 educational. It consists of courses in grape-growing and wine-making 

 to regular students, and short courses in the same subjects to special 



