AND WINE MAKING. 259 



comprising a combination of producers and dealers, 

 which has recently been organized and incorporated 

 under tlie name of " California Wine Association," with 

 a capital stock of 110,000,000. The directors are, Henry 

 Epstein, Charles Carpy, Henry Kohler, Henry Van Ber- 

 gen, J. J. Weglein, E. C. Priber, Henry Lachmann, J. 

 Frauenfeld, A. L. Tubbs, Hans H. Kohler and Percy T. 

 Morgan, who have taken stock to the amount of $2,600,- 

 000. Officers of the association : President, C, Carpy ; 

 Vice Presidents, Henry Epstein, Henry Van Bergeli, 

 Henry Lachmann ; Treasurer, J. Frauenfeld ; Secretary, 

 Hans H. Kohler. The object of the association is to 

 control -the product of the vineyards in the State. "With 

 this in view they have entered into contracts with the 

 producers for options on their products — wines on hand, 

 grapes of the coming crops and wines made from them, — 

 for five years. These products are to be delivered at 

 their destination within A stated time, at prices which 

 are gradually increased year by year — one-third to be 

 paid on delivery, one-third with acceptance in three, 

 and the remainder in six months. The wines and grapes 

 are to be graded in four classes at different prices for 

 bottom and hill products, and also for different varieties. 

 Due distinction is thus made as to quality — the first 

 step that has been taken in that direction. This combi- 

 nation was the outcome of an evident necessity for self- 

 defense, — to save the industry, we may say, from 

 ruin. Previously every one h^d a«ted for himself. 

 There was no concert; all sold at such prices as they 

 saw fit, underbidding one another in the market. While 

 the dealers were engaged in this cut-throat business, the 

 unfortunate producer was forced to sell to them at such 

 prices as they felt disposed to offer, which was some- 

 times far below the cost of production. But the dealers 

 saw that this could not continue, — that they were killing 

 the goose which had laid golden eggs for them, and that 



