153 GRAPE CULTURE AND WINE-MAKING. 



We have taken a low estimate, according to present prices, 

 but still it amounts to the enormous sum of $776,759,750. This 

 amount the producer receives ; so that it would be safe to calcu- 

 late that the merchants receive from the consumers double this 

 sum. 



Italy shows the highest yield to the acre, and yet does not come 

 up to the California yield within 100 per cent. 



It is well known that California has within its boundaries at 

 least 5,000,000 acres of land well adapted for the vine culture. 

 This land, even though it yield no better than Italy, will still 

 amount to $551,858,208 33. This large sum may astonish the 

 most sanguine ; nevertheless, in another generation California will 

 produce this result. 



Below we give an abstract of the Wine Chronicle of Germany, 

 taken from the Eecords of the Agricultural Society in Wirtem- 

 berg. These Records, dating from the year 1246, are from that 

 time up to 1420 very meagre and much interrupted, but from 

 1420 up to 1852 quite complete and correct. During those 432 

 years there were, as to quality of the wine, 



Those eminently distinguished only 11 



Very good years for a good wine 28 



Pretty good ones " " 118 



Middling quality wines 76 



Inferior " " 199 



Total 432 



Concerning the productiveness, there have been 



Years of ample yield 114 



" middle " 18 



" poorer " 99 



" failures, or yields not paying expenses 201 



Total 432 



This statement gives a clear view of the disadvantages under 

 which the culture of the grape is to be carried on in such a north- 

 em locality as are most of the States of Germany. While we 

 have in California no year of failure on record, or by the tradition 

 of our oldest settlers, cold Germany has her vine crops killed or 

 seriously injured, upon an average, three years out of four. This 

 simple fact evinces the superior advantages of California for the 

 production of grapes and wine. 



