264 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tide of population is pouring in on our western shores, a popula- 

 tion which is strongly influenced by New England blood and 

 New P]ngland principles, we begin to realize the great future of 

 the Pacific slope. In view of the addition of tliis wonderful 

 territory to our union of States, we are tempted to claim the 

 fulfilment of the sentiment of Bishop Berkeley, — 



" Westward the course of Empire takes its way, 

 The first four acts already past ; 

 The fifth shall eud the drama with the day, — 

 Time's noblest oflfering is the last." 



Next to the cereals of California, no other production of the 

 soil, wool perhaps excepted, is so important as the grape. The 

 State has about 30,000,000 vines, two-thirds of which are in 

 full bearing. The amount of wine made annually is probably 

 about 4,000,000 gallons ; that of brandy about 300,000 gallons. 

 Tliis is exclusive of the large quantities of grapes used for the 

 table. Many of the vineyards are quite profitable, yielding from 

 $50 to '$500 per acre. Some of the varieties, such as the flame 

 Tokay, have occasionally produced 8,000 to 10,000 pounds per 

 acre. Nearly all the vines are foreign varieties, among which 

 strongly predominate the Mission, as it is called, the Muscat of 

 Alexandria, the Black Haml)urg and Rose of Peru, the latter 

 probably being the St. Peters of our collections. The cheapest 

 grapes are the Mission, but they have often paid from fifty to 

 one hundred dollars per acre. The grapes sold for eating bring 

 from four to ten cents per pound ; but three-quarters or more 

 of the crop is sold to the wine manufacturer at about twenty 

 dollars per ton. All the foreign kinds are grown, of whicli 

 there are at present some two hundred varieties on trial. 



California has great advantages for wine growing. The vines 

 produce very abundantly, and much more to the acre than in 

 our western vineyards or in those of Europe. The yield is con- 

 stant and regular in California, without the risks of frost or 

 damage from rain. Lands suitable for vineyards can be had in 

 the interior and on the foot hills for a few dollars per acre. 

 The vine is being planted on these foot-hills far up into the 

 mountains, and both tlic fruit and wine are considered of finer 

 flavor tlian that raised on the bottom lands. The vines are 

 grown in tree form, without stake or trellis. The stems, from 



