Daily national Republican., 1865-09-02

GRAPE GROWING IN CALlFORN1A.-lhe ne
grape culture OF California is destined at
no distant day, to be one of the leading
interests ofthe State. Indeed, many shrewd
Observers profess to believe that within
the next decade 1t will scarcely be second
TO the mining interests. have gathered
some interesting date In this connection,
that may not be uninteresting 10 your read
ers. Los Angeles county at present takes
the lead in the grape culture. 1t is situa-
ted in 81 North latitude, with a summer
temperature approaching 100 Fahrenheit
a semi-tropical climate, in which the most
valuable ofthe tropical fruits can be cul-
tivated with success; such as oranges,
lemons, olives, almonds, figs, pomegran-
ates, grapes, &c.
The black grape, in gener al use, was in.
troduced from Spain byt early Jesuits
aud Mission fathers, nearly a century ago,
and have been cultivated ever since with
uBequivocal success-no failure ever having
occurred nor have the vines ever been
afflicted with any malady. There are now
under cultivation in this county, over threC
millions of vines, many Of them not Sei
fully developed; and the estimated yield o.
wine for the coming season, in Los Ange
los county, Is 2,000, 900 gallons; a goodly
portion of which, it is expected, will b,
converted into brandy, as that article u
gradually working its way into populA
favor. Full grown vines, receiving ordi
nary care, are said to yield one gallon o
wine to the vine. The vines are general,
planted six feet apart, each way, which
gives l ,2l0 to the acre. The soil is for tn
most part a sandy loan, in some place
mixed with gravel and volcanic debris.
AS the summer season Is long and dr..
every vineyard is provided with the mean
of irrigation, in order TO protect them from
seasons of protracttd drouth. Some the
orists claim that grapes can be grown II
California without irrigation, but this Il
denied by practical VINE growers. 1t II
said that If the vines are planted in a sol
thatis moist enough to withstand seasons oI
drouth they are apt TO run 10 wood in wei
seasons, afording but little wine, of an
inferior quality, which 1t almost impoS-
sib.e TO keep. In European wine produ-
cling countries, where 1t rains periodically,
the vines, 1t is said, are planted on slopes
and side-hills because the low and fla,
lands are too wet and cold to yield profit.
able returns. The most delicate foreign
grapes ripen in this section In the open
air earlier than in Europe, and owing &c
the arid atmosphere they are never oyerta
ken by mildew, rot or frost.
American varieties ofthe grape promise
10 succeed beyond all the others, the Ca.
tawba being the tavorite. The variety
yields from seven to fourteen gallons OF
wine to the vine, which, owing 10 ouI
more congenial climate, is pronounced by
connOisseurs TO be far superior TO the SAINT
description produced in Ohio. The Isabelle
bears too heavily, but produces wine o.
fine flavor. Old-Vine growers who grad
uated in France and German vineyards
pronounce Southern California the natu
raj home of the grape, and they conten,
that, in time, II will be the first wine pro
ducing COZ ntry in the world. Tn
present drawback is the lack of capital
70 create new vineyards, hut with ade
Quate Investment and proper attention
they Weld in due time handsome returns.
The grapes, when thoroughly ripe, ar
picked when the dew is oil, and hauled I
the presses. When deprived Of their stem
they are passed and crushed through ro
lers, the resulting juice being what's know
as white wine. The half crushed grape
are then put into vats, where they underE
fermentation, from which results the re
wine. The debris of marc is sometime
distilled, where fuel is cheap, TO make a
INFERIOR Drhnuyj OIncrWloo IL 10 uroI y
make vinegar, by passing it through th
acetic fermentation.
Al association of Germans planted
vine. yard of 400, 900 vines in this county
called Annaheim (Anna's home), whic
has been parceled out among the share
holders, and is becoming an import An
settlement for very Industrious class Q
people. They have, since the re-partition
increased their vineyard by 100000 vines
principally German, which thrive admire
bly,. They will make about 100000 gal
Ions Of wine this season. The principa
classes of wine made ia this State are por
Angelica "a UHt de lique,T), white and rcd
beside brandy, genuine Madeira, and shel
ry, are also made 10 some extent. AS ou
Government looks with favor on the pre-
duotions of the vine, and guarantees
protection against foreign competition, thl
interest must grow rapidly. Already Ii
trade in foreign wines to this market, whic
was formerly very large, has dwindled
small proportions, and will, 1t is believed
die out altogether In the course of time.