The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1872-03-07
THE BfG GRAPEVINE.
History Of the Mammoth Vine Of
Santa Barbara Cal.

/
Santa Barbara Cal.
The largest grapevine IN the worl',
situated at Santa Barbar CAL, is tn, .
described BY recent writer:
This estate has been In possession Of
the Dominguez family over three
quarters Of . century, bsiae the mot
noted place in southern California,
attracting tourists from al parts Of the
globe. It was conveyed by the city
authorities Of Santa Bsrbsra to DOna
Marceila Felix de Domingues. who
has now conveyed it to Mr.. Server. Of
Canton, OHIO. Soon after having
made her will, she departed this llfe
at the ripe old age Of los years. leaving
700 iineal defendants. We quote ffom
Hyatt's Hand Book Of Grape Culture:
SANTA Barbara Mammoth Vine. We
call this the mammoth, not 80 much
an account OF the size Of its fruit. n Of
its vine, and OF its prodigiously prolific
bearing properties" He then pro-
ceeds to say: zone of the celebrities
OF Spanish California 10 the Immense
aud beautiful grapevine now growing
at the MOntecito, two or three miles
below Santa Barbara. The planter of
the vine was Dona Marcellins Felix
Dominguez. Of the earliest expedition
to Sonora, before 1870.
This now famous vine, some seven
ty years since, was the riding whip of
the Spanish lady, presented to her by
her lover. which, after the ride, was
planted by her, and has now develop
ed into that grand memento Of love,
the largest and most famous vino in
the world.
Beside the old vine is an ofispring
only twelve years old, fast approach
ing the Dimensions Of the parent, and
fully as prolific. Under the genial
branches Of this youthful vine is q
large dancing floor, where, according
to the custom Of the Spaniards, on
Sabbath days and Sabbath evenings
are peri .rmed the love d .nces of 4 new
generation of Spanish lads and lasses
in their fandanyos, enlivensd by the
vouptuous swells of music and free
draughts Of Camu!us. Close bv re-
poses the ancient riding whip, spread
ing her venerable branches over an
area Of more THAI 5000 square feet OF
ground, the tutelar guardian Of the
rancho. whose branches iutertwine
with those Of her off.pring, aud those
OF u neighboring fig tree, annually
laden with blIe figs. These people
truly have long had the privilege (now
passed away Of sitting. as we'll as
dancing, under their own vine and fig
tree.
According to Hyatt. before the death
of the aged Dona, this vine was made
to produce more than anv known
grape vine in all America. North and
South. Between 1850 and 1850 it had
been trailed over some eighty yards
In circumference, with trunk twelve
inches 10 diameter, rising clear eight
feet from the ground.
Some years il has borne over six
Thousand punches of ripe and sound
grapes, or close on to eight thousand
pounds. aud become the wonder Of
every resident and sojourner in this
part Of California. And what Is more,
for the last thirty years 1t has princip.
ally maintained the old woman and
her numerous family.
Professor Silliman, when he visited
1t last year, said: he never heard Of
sucl, an immense grapevine in any
other country. which il saying a great
deal, az he has travelled much in the
south of Europe. Charles Loring
, DIac-. n,s work on CanrUrnia, rofere
to this vine, having measured it him
self To-day the trunk of the vine in
the thickest place measures four feet
four inches in circumference, it's
branches being supported by fifty two
trellises, having for number OF wears
produced annually from five to six
tons, or from ten to twelve thousand
pounds OF grapes. It is estimated that
during the last sixty years its total
yield approximates the enormous
yield ofhalfa million pounds of grapes.
which at five cents per pound, would
amount to twenty. five thousand
dollars.
Rev. Robert Ben.ly, in his Thanks.
giving sermon, delivered at the Union
Thanksgiving services, held in the
Santa Barbara Congregational Church
Nov. 30, 1871, thus refers to This vine !:
"A nuncio from Rome, who visited
this place not long since. and who. in
his observations and readings bad
made the subject Of vines his speciality.
asserted that the great grapevine In
this vicinity is as large again as the
famous vine of Fountainebleau in
France. larger than any found among
the villas in the vicinity of Rome, and
surpasses any of which Pliny gives
record in his history and travels -
The rancho on which this vine stands
Is situated on MOntecito creek, and is
watered by stream from the Hot
Springs. a mile distant. The land
aud sea view is unsurpassed, the situa.
ton being equi distant from the Pacif.
ic on the south and the Santa Inez
mountains on the north.
A young woman, whose fathers
palatial residence Is situated on one of
the principal streets of Missouri CITY.
recently. in the space of single twen-
ty-four hours, managed, without dis.
covery, to get herself engaged to eight
different men, and told them all to
come at the same time the noxt dav to