The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-10
CALIFORNIA TABLE GRAPES.

From the San Francisco Alta July 31l
The grape Is the most important Of fruits exclud-
ing the grams, which sometimes classed as fruits
in the most comprehensive sense OF the word. The
apple, pear, cherry, strawberry, orange, pineapple
anu many other fruits and berries are extremely pai-
atabe, at least occasionally, but the crop OF none
equals IN value that or the vine. The grape demands
e sunny Ss H saps
with the genial Chimes which they long to enjoy In
England, Northern Germany and most OF the Allan
tic States the grape, with the exception OF few OF
the poorer varieties does not thrive and the traveller
from those regions visiting California sees In the
a99 9 variety ana iong,eontnuing supply
State. Many among the Chicago commercial party
were disposed to be sceptical at first when told that
names Of many of the best were entirely strange to
them our vineyards will serve to attract to our val
leys ana foothills thousands OF people who tired
OF growing maize and feeding swine In the Missis-
sippi Valley.
The possibility of the opening Of great market In
the Atlantic states for our table grapes has excited
much interest among the wine growers and some O.
them entertain high hopes OF Sudden and great
rise in the value OF vineyard property Hthe grapes
e thai there sss win s Se an as soun not
ant sale IN the East for all the table grapes that we
have been received here's and those paid here Tor the
ss AFe Ss 1 I ns II nome
OF the Atlantic States do the European grapes thrive
glass save the Isabella CatatTba, Diana, Scupper.
nong. Delaware and few other American varieties
which rank very low here for the table, for wine
and for productiveness. California Will therefore
have no competition worthy of uote at least none
until the Southern Pacific Railroad Is completed to
the valley OF the Rio Gfande, which might, perhaps
become an important grape district.
The best grapes are SO rare in the Eastern market
that the demand and price for the different kinds are
not yet KNOWN The Muscat OF Alexandra Is more
priced here than any other grape account OF its
large size and rich spicy flavor II does best on
gravelly loan, mixed with little clay, and bears
very poorly in rich clay loan without sand or gravel
The most productive Muscat vines are IN the sonoma
are xs e stas wholesale s 9 S2Se Ps !sys e
per pound, making gross yield Of $3.50 per acre. OF
which $50 may be counted for cultivation, picking
and sending to market One of the chief collections OF
this grape Is that 1t does not iset, well in MANY
places and then the only way to secure good crop
Is to pull Oh some OF the blossoms and shake the
pollen over other blossoms which are left 10 bear.
The vine generally starts out to produce crops
every season, but the careful vigneron pucKs OF the
second set OF blossoms, for otherwise neither crop
would ripen properly. The Alexandrian Muscat Is
the only grape that Is good for wine and first rate
Tor the table for raising and for long transportation
Inc Flame Iokay Is priced for Its fine appearance
aud for its excellent Keeping qualities but IL Is use.
less for wine ana has little flavor. II bears more
than the Muscat OF Alexandria, and has hitherto
commanded the same price In the market. 1t may
come into demand in the Eastern States. The Queen
OF Nice differs so littte from the Flame Tokay that
BY many 1t Is IT garded as the same grape.
The Rose OF reru Is large, firm grape OF fine
favor yielding In good years 1000 pounds 10 the
acre. The price 10 about Six cents per pound, but
the inferior price Is compensated by the superior
yield as compared with the varieties previously
mentioned. The Black Hamburg Is large fine In
navor and well suited to transportation, but II Is in
ferior to the Rose OF Peru. The Isabella and Catawoa
vines produce little, and the grapes do not bear
transportation. There are several Muscatels and
some varieties OF the Chasseas that good for the
table, but they do not bear shipment WELL The lin
hnde, Malvolsie, Ressllng, Black Burgundy and
Tramlner are excellent for wine, but not in de-
mand for the table. Inc Mission grape, especially
when grown IN the Los Angeles district IL very rich
sugar II pucked soon after ripening and n left on
.fSQr
so that 1t becomes highly vtnous, and 10 for that
reason preferred by some persons but 1t could not
be transported from the Southern coast to the Mis-
sssppi valley with profit. although 1t could De OBJ
tanned In any quantity at two or three cents per
pound. Many or the Mission vines Will be grated
wine.