SOME HISTORY OF THE GRAPE IN THE UNITED STATES 65 



In 1850 the country produced almost 250,000 gallons of wine. 

 In 1860 the product had reached over one and one-half million 

 gallons and all the States and Territories, except four, were growing 

 grapes. The Census of 1860 shows California, New York, and 

 Ohio as the three leading wine producing states. In 1870 Missouri 

 produced more than any other state excepting California. From 

 1875 on quite a decline occurred, owing to black rot and other 

 diseases. With the one exception mentioned, California, New 

 York, and Ohio have taken the lead in grape growing until the last 

 census when Michigan surpassed Ohio. 



It w^as from 1870 to 1885, when the greatest profits ever made by 

 grape growers in this country were realized,' that the growers 

 prided themselves in growing superior grapes of the best varieties; 

 wine makers tried to surpass each other making the finest wines; 

 and raisin growers to produce the choicest raisins. Through this 

 localities became and are still known for their speciality. As for 

 instance, east of the Rockies the Kenka Lake District for its 

 sparkling wines; the Chautauqua District for American table 

 grapes; the American Dry Wine Districts of Missouri, New Jersey, 

 New York, and Ohio; the Muscadine District of North Carolina; 

 while west of the Rockies, the Raisin Districts in Fresno, San Diego 

 and Yolo Counties; Table Grape Districts in Sacramento and 

 San Joaquin Valley; Dry Wine Districts of Napa, Sonoma, and 

 Santa Clara Counties; the Sauterne District in Alameda County; 

 Sweet Wine and Brandy Districts in the San Joaquin Valley; etc. 



Ups and Downs. 



During the last quarter of the nineteenth century the grape 

 history of the United States has been a series of ups and downs, 

 until it appears now to be getting on a more substantial footing. 

 For instance, in some of the Eastern States grape prices in basket 

 lots have varied with years from 3 cents to | cent a pound, to bulk 

 grapes from $30 to $4 per ton. In California bulk grape prices 

 have varied from $35 to $40 a ton down to $6 and even less, and 

 hogs were turned into the vineyards to harvest the crop. 



Black Rot, anthracnose, insect pests, etc. wrought havoc in the 



