78 - GEOLOGY. 
A cask of the best wine, that was purchased at this vineyard and shipped to New York around 
Cape Horn, was found, on arrival, to have acquired considerable color, being much darker, and: 
not unlike sherry both in color and taste. A very strong white brandy (agua diente) is also 
manufactured at this vineyard, and is sold for $2 25 per gallon. 
I was informed that the quality of the grapes and wine at Los Angeles was not equal to that 
on several ranchos and at the Mission, which is on higher ground. The vineyards on moist 
land produce larger and more juicy grapes, but they are not equal in flavor to those grown on 
dry soils. At some of the vineyards it is not possible to make good red wine, the skin of the 
berry being deficient in coloring matter. This deficiency is attributed to the influence of nitre 
in the soil, as it is often seen to effloresce on the surface where a pool of water has dried up. 
It is not possible to present in this place a full and fair view of the condition and prospects of 
the grape culture at Los Angeles and its vicinity ; but I became convinced, from the few 
observations that it was possible to make during our stay of only two days, that the region is 
peculiarly well adapted to the growth of the grape and other fruits. The genial climate and 
the character of the soil are favorable, and there is nothing to prevent the multiplication of 
vineyards to an almost unlimited extent. I believe that when the adaptation of that portion of 
California to the culture of grape and the manufacture of wine becomes known and appreciated, 
the State will become celebrated not only for its gold and grain, but for its fruits and wines. 
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MISSION OF SAN GABRIEL. 
Los Angeles to San Bernardino city.—We left Los Angeles on the morning of the 2d of 
November, and passed a region of low, rounded hills, surrounded by gentle slopes. They 
appeared to be composed of clay in thin layers, and are probably Tertiary. We soon arrived at 
the Mission of San Gabriel, nine miles distant from Los Angeles. It is beautifully situated at 
the base of the mountains, and is surrounded by extensive gardens and vineyards. 
The building is high and quadrangular, and appears to be still used for church service ; the 
bells were ringing, and we met numerous parties of native Californians on their way there. 
The vineyard appears to -be neglected, and is going to decay ; the enclosures being broken 
down and animals having free range through it. Extended and beautiful hedges of the prickly- 
pear were numerous, and the fruit was very abundant.! 
1 The Mission of San Gabriel Arcángel was founded by the Padre J unipero Serra, September 8, 1771. This was one of the 
richest missions of California ; and it is said that the number of animals belonging to it at ine time was so great that it 
became necessary to kill the horses in order to preserve sufficient pasture for the cattle. An idea of the extent and 
resources of this mission establishment will be obtained from the following description, which I translate from the French 
work of De Mofras.— Exp. de l Oregon, &c., ii. p. 350. i 
In 1834, at the time of the opulence of San Gabriel, nearly three thousand Indians were attached to the establishment. 
