11 



summer pruning is practised further than the removal of 

 superfluous shoots, early in the season. The bearing 

 canes are allowed to run their full length, spreading over 

 the ground, M'liich is kept clear and well cultivated. They 

 are planted eight feet apart. The cost of cultivating is 

 $25 per acre, but some put it higher than this. The 

 average product is about twelve pounds per vine through 

 the State. The Mission grape is most productive, and 

 frequently yields thirty or forty pounds to a vine ; the 

 llcisling not over four or five pounds. Some of the 

 vineyards are 300 to 500 acres in extent. One that we 

 visited had a grape arl)or three quarters of a mile in 

 length, thirty feet in width, and twelve feet high, cov- 

 ered with grapes trained in the most elaborate and artis- 

 tic manner. Part of this grand arbor is used as a drive, 

 in which carriages pass each other in freedom. 



I suppose it may be expected that I should express an 

 opinion in regard to the culture of the fruit in California. 

 In the several sections we visited, and many others, fruit 

 in general can be produced at a much less cost than with 

 ns at the East. 1st, In most cases the land can be had 

 of good quality at low prices. , Good fruit and grain land 

 in the coast valleys, except close to a town or village, can 

 be bought for $20 to $100 per acre. In the second range 

 of valleys, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and others at a dis- 

 tance from market, at a much less price. 2d, The trees 

 grow nearly twice as rapidly as with us, and come into 

 bearing in less than half the time. 3d, The fruit is sure, 

 large, and handsome, and yet nearly exempt from dis- 

 eases and insects. 4th, The atmosphere is so dry during 

 the whole season, that rotting on the trees is unknown ; 

 and the fruits remain on the trees sound long after thc}^ 

 are ripe, thus greatly prolonging the season of gathering. 

 5th, The ground requires much less cultivation than at 

 the East. When the dr}' season commences, weeds cease 

 to be troublesome, and for a period of between four and 

 five months very little labor is needed to keep the ground 

 in order, Avhich is an important saving. And lastly, 



