WINE-MAKING IN CALIFORNIA. 251 



Five tons of grapes at $12 per ton $60.00 



Deduct from this for labor $20.00 



Interest on land and capital invested 15.00 



35.00 



Net profit 125.00 



This, as remarked before, is subject to many variations, ac- 

 cording to cost of land, cost of clearing and cultivating, 

 prices realized for grapes, etc. "But it may be callo. 

 average; and the grapes estimated as low as good grapes can 

 be sold and raised. The present prospects are that they wi]J 

 be from $12 to $15 this season in Napa, red grapes bringing 

 the first, white grapes the latter price, and even higher. In 

 other sections, where grapes are still cheaper, they will also 

 produce more to the acre. These are, so I think, bottom 

 prices. If the condensed must industry steps in to make 

 a market for our red wine grapes, and there are more wine 

 storage houses established, it will relieve the present glut, and 

 we will receive better paying prices again. But even as it is, 

 it is better returns on the investment of capital than wheat or 

 grain in general will furnish, and far better than most mercan- 

 tile ventures will bring. 



Raisin making and table gropes pay much better at present 

 than raising wine grapes. Yet a few years ago, raisin makers 

 were down hearted on account of coulure, stagnation in the 

 market, and low prices. Since they improved the quality of 

 their goods, and freight to the East have been reduced, bet- 

 ter modes of packing prevail; both raisin men and the ship- 

 pers of table grapes feel jubilant, and see their prospects 

 brightening every day. So it will be with the wine interest. 

 The present depression is due in a large measure to the infer- 

 ior quality of the wines sent out. The wine of 1884 was very 

 light, and it was followed by the crop of 1885, which was to 

 a large extent, badly fermented ; but both were bought and 

 rushed East in spring of 1886, during the time of low freight, 



