SOME HISTORY OF THE GRAPE IN THE UNITED STATES 63 



The first direct importations to California of Vinifera from 

 Europe were by nurserymen in 1853 and 1854. In 1861 A. Har- 

 assthy was commissioned by Governor Downey to visit Europe in 

 the interest of the improvement and growth of the grape vine in 

 Cahfornia. He selected and brought with him cuttings of nearly 

 all the better European vine varieties. 



Some Remarkable Vines. 



In American grape history there are three varieties of remarkable 

 records, each of which has been the most prominent variety of its 

 kind. 



Of Vinifera, the Mission for its wonderful adaptability, and as a 

 general utility grape, has never been surpassed. 



Of American Euvitis, the Concord is the best known, the most 

 generally planted all purpose grape so far. 



Of the Muscadines, the Scuppernong always has, and still is 



considered the best and more vines of it have been planted than of 



« 

 all other Muscadines combined. 



A Mission vine planted in 1842 by a Spanish woman, ten miles 

 south of Santa Barbara, near Carpinteria, California, was consid- 

 ered to be the largest vine in the world. Its spreading branches 

 supported on sixty posts covered 10,000 square feet of ground; 

 800 persons could comfortably gather under its shade. The first 

 election in Santa Barbara County under American rule was held 

 under it. In one season it produced 12 tons of grapes. The trunk 

 of the vine measured 9 feet 7 inches in circumference. 



In the Santa Barbara Daily News and Independent appeared the 

 following: "Carpinteria, May 4, 1915. F. S. Barrick moved the 

 big grape vine from the Peterson Ranch to the Aliso school grounds 

 yesterday, and it is now ready to be placed in the base of cement 

 which is yet to be prepared. As soon as the vine has been set in 

 the cement and properly propped, it will be covered with creosote 

 which will preserve it for many years. The branches were cut off 

 at a length of twelve feet from the trunk which will give the visitors 

 an idea of the immensity of the vine when it was alive. Grape vines 

 are to be planted underneath the ends of these branches and in time 

 will cover the old vine and give it the appearance of having life." 



