WINE-MAKING IN CALIFORNIA. 355 



Association: Hon. M. M. Estee, Napa; J. B. J. Portal, 

 San Jose; Capt. Chamon de St. Hubert, Fresno; J. H. 

 Drurnmond, Glen Ellen; H. A. Pellet, St. Helena; Jacob 

 -Schramm, Calistoga; H. A. Meriam, Los Gatos; B. H. 

 Upham, San Francisco; A. Erz, Anaheim; Julius P. Smith, 

 Livermore. To these others will be added soon. This com- 

 mittee will proceed to collect miscellaneous samples of wine 

 found throughout the city and state, which, if proving spurious, 

 will be turned over to the district attorney and the case sub- 

 mitted to the courts. 



The pure wine Act, at the time of its passage by the last 

 Legislature was the subject of considerable criticism and dis- 

 pute. 



It was discussed at great length before the public, but, 

 having ended in adoption and approval, it is to be hoped that 

 the little inconvenience it may make a few will be amply com- 

 pensated for by its good effect on the general industry. If it 

 opens the way to any fraud we may be sure this clause will 

 be used by the enemy; to counteract the effect of which 

 every good feature of the law must be brought into requisition. 



Many demanded the use of certain materials in preparing 

 wine, which materials to them seemed harmless, but which 

 had to be denied in order to exclude other more damaging 

 adulterants. For example, we may well afford for the market 

 within our own State to abandon the use of ordinary grain 

 spirits in fortifying wines if by the law we are able to stop the 

 extensive and unhealthful practice of stretching produced by 

 the same means. 



Nor must we forget the effect of this Act in enlarging the 

 demand for grape spirits, and thereby causing the distilling of 

 poor wines, which would otherwise be fortified by neutral 

 spirits, and usurp the place of better wines. By the Act a 

 native spirit is substituted for an imported one. 



The healthful effect of our wines and a consequent increased 



