that no cuttings or roots should be introduced from an infected district 

 without first being thoroughly disinfected. This precaution was almost 

 universal, whether the stock came from a known infected region or not. 

 It was the members of the honorable Commission of which you are a 

 member that urged upon the vine planters the necessity of this pre- 

 cautionary course, and to 5 day the Livermore Valley vineyard owners 

 congratulate themselves on their freedom from the disease, and feel 

 grateful to the Commission for their wise forethought. 



The general character of the soil is a sandy loam and in places 

 mixed with gravel, varying in color from red to black; deep and fairly 

 rich. The growth of the vines is rapid and strong, but with few 

 exceptions the crops are not heavy the bunches and berries being 

 generally small. The theory is that during the summer season the 

 evaporation caused by the warmth of the sun is not counterbalanced 

 by damp or foggy nights, as occur in many other grape sections. How- 

 ever, it is claimed by many that this has the effect of producing a 

 higher quality of grape for wine making. 



The crop of the season of 1892 was light, owing to severe frosts that 

 came at a time when the vines were in bloom. The upland and mount- 

 ainous sections escaped without injury, but the lowlying vineyards 

 suffered severely. It is thought that at least one third of the crop was 

 destroyed. 



There was sufficient cellar capacity to accommodate the crop, but no 

 surplus. If the valley has a full crop this year and at date every- 

 thing points to a large yield the present cellars will be inadequate to 

 handle it. 



There is an excellent business opportunity for a large public winery 

 that would pay the investors well. 



The indications are that before the next vintage the cooperage will 

 be mostly empty. 



There have been about 300 acres of vines dug up this season by dis- 

 appointed vineyard owners, but the great proportion of grape growers 

 are sanguine that much better prices will prevail hereafter. 



MISSION SAN JOS. 



In the Mission San Jose district I find that the phylloxera has 

 gained a foothold, and the viticulturists are taking radical precautions 

 to check its spread. In the vineyards where its presence has been dis- 

 covered the vines in and around the infected spot have been destroyed 

 and gas lime applied at once. I found a reluctance on the part of the 

 owners of infected vineyards to give me information. 



The grape output in 1892 was satisfactory so far as crop returns go, but, 

 like the balance of the vintners in the State, all are looking forward 

 with hungry eyes and empty pockets to better prices for grapes and 

 wines. 



The cellarage capacity seems ample to accommodate the coming crop. 



WARM SPRINGS. 



In this district I did not learn of any vineyard infected with phyl- 

 loxera. In every other particular its soil, climate, and conditions are 

 similar to the Mission San Jose district. 



