The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1872-12-14
vineyards OF America.

To every man Of broad conception, ard
comprehensive grasp Of mind the develop
uent OF each new branch of American indus
try i . an object Of copgratu:ation. as it dis
closes to his eyes a new bond which is to
bind our country together aud make us more
independent Of foreign ideas and influences.
The planting and growth of our vineyards has
made rapid strides during the past ten years,
and AZ each vintage succeeds the other, new
proof 10 adducsd that in very few years
America can and will prcdrce wines in quail
ity and quantity sufficient 10 be powerful
competitor 10 France and Germany. which
countries have for so many years realized
from us fer light wines an enormous revenue.
Nicholas Longworth was ons Of the earliest
pioneers in this enterprise, and though he
made some good wines out Of the Catawba
grape, and was fortunate enough to haYe its
praises sung BY one Of our most gifted poets,
still the wines did not come up to that high
standard of excellencs which promised .
great practical result. It was not until Cal
ifornia, BY the great diversity Of her soil
aud climate. had demonstrated that in her boz
som the grape found congenial home, and
on her hillsides and in her valleys would four
ish as it had never done, even in the mos IA
vored European situations, that pra ctical
men who had been bred winters in the old
world, saw that part was source of wealth
which only needed patience and intelligent
skill to develop it..
The principal grape used in the making Of
wines il the "Mission Variety. 1t takes its
name from having been early introduced into
California by the Spanish Jesu,ts. More
than one hundred varieties Of foreign grapes
known are growing to-day in the State, and
as soon as the vineyards which are planned
to varieties like Resisting and Zuifadd pro-
duce sufficiently, " shall have wines almost
ideut teal with the European brands. Messrs.
Perkins B Stearn. Who are the pioneer house
in the business, have informed us that during
the first year of the business, viz. 1860, the
total sales did not exceed three thousand
gallons, AMI At that time, and for several
years after, they were the only house doing
anything in California, wines.
The product Of 1871 was in round number,
100000 gallons, being from 50 to Is 20
cent. larger than that Of ordinary years, de-
spite the severitv Of two years. drought
This large increase came from the older vines
leaving out further additions due 10 vines
that Ahenfirst came into bearing. This fac,
establishes that the vine has nothing to fear
in this State from the most stringent drought.
after being ono well rooted. With five
years. growth II il found to be beyond danger
from this cause. 1851 1855
Judging Of the future BY the past, and -
king into consideration the fact that Caiifor-
mia has been obliged to labor under the disad
vantage Of high priced labor and exorbitan
rates Of interest, that nearly al her vine
yards are new to say nothing Of the, preju
dice existing against all American Wines. i
10 safe to conclude that the business is ON 4
safe and profitable basis. and will continue 4
prosper. Such ct least il the Judgment OF 81
who are familiar With the subject.