WINK-MAKIN<; IN CALIFORNIA. 147 



parts of Germany. It requires high stakes and long pruning, 

 ripe about last week in September. 



The Blaue Elben, introduced and cultivated largely by Mr. 

 L. J. Rose of San Gabriel, and of whi:h he has made some 

 very fine wine, is similar to its white sister except in color. 

 But although the grape is black, its juice and skins contain 

 very little color and tannin, and it is used for white wine. 

 There is but little doubt that these lighter varieties, the White 

 and Blue Elben, Burger, Folle Blanche, etc., may be better 

 adapted for wine at the south than they are here, and prove 

 the varieties for them to plant, if their aim is to make dry, 

 light white wines. 



Burger. Synonyms, Putzscheer, Large White Tokay. 

 This grape has become so universally known under the name 

 of Burger in this State, that it will be impossible to change it, 

 although Burger is only a local synonym for the White Elben 

 in Germany. It is here, in Northern California, regarded as 

 only a quantity grape, for it is certainly incredibly productive, 

 but in the valley lands it yields an entirely neutral wine, thin, 

 acid, and without character. On rich hillsides its product is 

 somewhat better, and in good seasons it makes a very fair 

 wine. In the South, however, it improves and may be valu- 

 able for light wine; certainly Mr. Rose has made creditable 

 wine of it at San Gabriel. However, its foliage is not very 

 good, and its fruit therefore liable to sunscald. I do not wish 

 to recommend it for extensive planting, but where it is already 

 planted, it may be used to good advantage as a blend with 

 very heavy, rich wines. One fourth Burger, added to these, 

 often gives them sprightliness, and just the agreeable acidity 

 they may need. Besides, it always ferments well, and is of 

 value as an addition to such varieties in the fermenting vat, 

 as are sluggish in their fermentation. 



Vine a strong grower, with dark brown wood, speckled 

 with black. Leaf nearly round, but lobed, light green above 



