PROCEEDINQS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 287 



the mill, and from the mass before pressing, makes first class wine. The 

 mashed grapes fall from the mill into vats, which will contain 35,000 lbs., 

 and this is digested with clear water fifteen days, when it is drawn off for 

 second quality wine which is di.stilled for brandy. The first run of juice is 

 conveyed into tanks, which hold 500 gallons each, where it stands about 

 six hours, not to ferment, but to settle all dirt, when it is drawn off into a 

 vat that holds about 4,000 gallons, and in the mean time the small tanks 

 are washed, ready for a new charge. From the large vat, after proper fer- 

 mentation, the must is pumped up about 100 feet into a reservoir, imme- 

 diately over the wine-vaults, which are extensive excavations into the solid 

 rock of the hillside. From this reservoir it is conducted by pipes to the 

 wine-vaults, where the casks are filled by means of a gutta percha hose. 

 It is estimated that there are now in the valley of Sonoma about 2,500 acres 

 in vines, and 14,000 acres in the State, and there are now growing in the 

 State 25,000,000 of vines; and as the nimiber is constantly and rapidly 

 increasing, it will not be difiHcult for any one here to calculate that the time 

 is near at hand when San Francisco will be fully able to furnish all the 

 States in the Union with wine at a price so low that it will nearly stop its 

 importation from Europe. Beside grapes for wine, we have sold large 

 quantities in California fresh at 25c. per pound, and also made raisins from 

 the Malaga grapes, esteemed fully equal to those imported. Beside grapes 

 we have grown considerable crops of almonds and olives; peaches, too, are 

 grown to such an extent, that they sold last season in San Francisco at 20c. 

 per basket. It is estimated that there are 4,000,000 of bearing peach trees 

 in the State. The fruit is very large and beautiful, but not so high-flavored 

 and delicious to the taste as those grown in this vicinity. The old Mission 

 peach is a small good variety, and it appears that only one sort was ever cul- 

 tivated, as they are found alike at all the Missions. The trees are very 

 large, in size resembling the apple-tree. The only disease appears to bo 

 the leaf-curl. 



Almonds are entirely hardy, the hard-shell variety rather the most so. 

 This fruit will grow wherever peaches will, but should never be grafted 

 on peach trees, nor should the soft-shell variety be grafted upon the hard. 

 I planted 8,000 peach trees and 6,000 almonds in 1852, which have been 

 allowed to grow pretty much as they please, and have attained a great 

 size, and are still healthy and productive. The apricot succeeds well on 

 the flat land, but not upon our hills. 



In answer to the question whether the curl affected the native peach 

 tree. Col. H. said, yes ; more than those which have been introduced from 

 the Eastern States. 



On motion of Mr. Carpenter, the thanks of the Club were tendered to 

 Col. Haraszthy for his interesting remarks. 



Adjourned. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



