22 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF VITICULTURE 



This Board has worked hand in hand with the table-grape producers of 

 California and has accomplished by appeal to reason and a citation of bene- 

 fits to be derived, a sugar standardization for table-grape shipments. We 

 also obtained the complete co-operation of all of the marketers of our table 

 grapes in the United States and Canada, and a highly meritorious pack of 

 table grapes was noted during the last vintage. Unfortunately the crop was 

 abnormally large, and meeting as it did, an Eastern crop of similar propor- 

 tions, the results of sales were disappointing and the season as a whole was 

 discouraging to the table-grape growers. 



The situation among the raisin-grape producers is satisfactory. Co-opera- 

 tion in marketing through central exchanges has brought order and profit 

 out of chaos and loss. The whole production is not now rushed to market 

 at one time or within a short period. Intelligent distribution and exploitation 

 of the markets is the order of the day, and raisin affairs are so well in hand 

 that the producer receives needed money throughout the year whether his 

 crop is sold or unsold. Care should be exercised to control the disposition to 

 over-produce in this branch of viticulture, and your Board is so advising 

 those who contemplate going into raisin producing. 



The Viticultural Commission is busily engaged in studying plans of relief 

 for the table-grape growers. With only 50,000 acres of table varieties, Cali- 

 fornia either produces too many grapes for her legitimate markets, or the 

 marketing system is faulty. We are greatly interested in the easement which 

 may be afforded by packing large quantities of our table grapes in a sawdust 

 preservative in drums or kegs. These grapes so packed will keep for winter 

 marketing and we are endeavoring to place our product in competition with 

 the Almeria grapes of Spain. The departure being somewhat new to us, has 

 not yet been mastered successfully, but with perseverance we shall surely 

 win in the end. 



I might enumerate an endless number of interesting subjects which are 

 keeping our Viticultural Department busy these days, but time will not per- 

 mit of it at this Congress, and I shall conclude by thanking you for the privil- 

 ege of mentioning our work in a general way, and by inviting all of you who 

 may be interested to consult us as often as you please for general or specific 

 information you may desire regarding California's vineyards. We have 330,000 

 acres of vines in our State. 170,000 of these acres are in wine-grape vines; 

 110,000 acres in raisin grapes; and 50,000 in table grapes. We are qualified 

 to answer your questions correctly and will be pleased to do so. 



