WINE-MAKING IN CALIFORNIA. 137 



CHAPTER XII. 



WHAT TO PLANT. CHOICE OF VARIETIES. 



I need not repeat here, what has already been said about 

 resistant roots in a former chapter. I would not plant any 

 other, even in locations not yet infested with phylloxera. Of 

 them, the Herbemont, Rulander, Louisiana, and perhaps 

 Lenoir may be used for direct production. All the others 

 should be grafted with the best foreign or Vinifera varieties ; 

 but although that will not be done until a year later, we may 

 as well consider the question here. Which are the best ? 



This is a knotty problem to solve, in a State where there 

 are collections of from three to four hundred varieties, which 

 pass under one name in one locality, and in the next vineyard 

 or valley perhaps, are grown under another. There is an al- 

 most endless confusion in this respect, and it needs great 

 caution to get any variety pure and true to name. Yet there 

 is nothing more vexing than such blunders, and I would 

 rather have the money stolen out of my pocket by a thief, 

 than to be thus swindled, whether intentionally or not. 

 Therefore, be sure of what you obtain, and get it only of re- 

 liable men. One of these is Mr. H. W. Crabb, of Oakville, 

 Napa Co. He has a collection of nearly four hundred 

 varieties, and spares no pains to have them correct. Better 

 pay treble the price, it amounts to but very little anyway, and 

 get them true to name. The next consideration is, " what 

 do we want them for, for wine, table or market fruit, or for 

 raisins ? 



If for wine., that again depends upon locality and soil. It 

 is of no use to try and grow grapes for red wine on soil that 

 will not give us color, astringency or tannin, and fine bouquet. 



