252 GRAPE CULTURE AND 



and the market glutted with inferior wines, which did not pay 

 the shipper, and disgusted the consumer. The crop of 1886 

 is one of the best in quality ever made in the State. It is a 

 wine that will improve w r ith age, and make a name for our 

 product. The inferior varieties are disappearing, and new 

 vineyards of better varieties taking their place. Our people 

 are learning fast, and we may look for improvement in every re- 

 spect, quality of product, facilities for shipping, extended 

 markets by new methods; and I think 1 may safely predict a 

 change for the better. 



(Since the above was written, the vintage has passed, and 

 prices ruled higher than anticipated, from $15 to 18 per ton, 

 while the prospects are good for a rapid sale of wine at good 

 prices.) 



