Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-12-11

1
bearer. 1t makes a good light wine, either
red or white, and is sought for and used ex-
tensively in making the best California
champagne. The Berger is also quite pop
ular wine-grape. L. j. Rose, of Los An
geles, one of the most extensive wine-makers
| of the State, speaks Of this grape as follows ::
Punches long. large-shouldered and very
compact, skin thin, greenish yellow, with
some bloom; quite acid, and the poorest ia
ble-grape yet tried by me Of ali the foreign
grapes. 1t is vigorous grower, and the
leaves are large, with white cotton down
en- the under side. / believe it to be the
heaviest bearer of all the grapes, and 1 think
it doubles the production OF the Mission. It
whether it would do in low localities, for the
punches being so compact, in wet places it
would be almost sure to rot and nlildew. 1t
makes, to my mind, the most pleasant light
table-wine of any grape in California,
being more of the character of Ger
man Sauterne than any other wine
This wine is used one-third and two-thirds
Zinfandel to make the best of Haraszthy's
champagne. l believe it especially adapted
for this county Clos Angeles) for our table
lands. 1t was introduced to Anaheim from
Germany, and .'Berger is the German name.
| am inclined to the belief that it is the same
grape as that known in France as Fole
Blanche, for it is identical with the descrip-
ton of that grape there. The Fole Blan che
is used in France almost entirely as a brandy
grape, making the celebrated cognacs It
has too much acidity there, and makes, as a
consequence, inferior wine. Whereas, with
our perpetual sunshine the grape attains a
fuller maturity, and makes wine that, for
a light wine for daily drinking, has no equal
to my taste. This shows that we can only
find By experimenting what grape is best for
our locality, for what may be worthless in a
wet, cold locality, in our dry and warm
climate will give entirely different results"
EXPOSURE OF a VINEYARD.
In damp and cold countries southern ex-
posure is considered by far the best for vine
yard, because in such climate the vine
needs all the warmth nature can afford it
under the most favorable conditions. In
most localities in California, however, a
ton. Something, however, must be thought
of in connection with the habits of the grape
to be planted A vigorous, rapid vine will
stand southern exposure, while a timid or
slow-grower would do nothing under the same
circumstances, but would do well under the
north side of the hill Our valley lands are
mostly level, and experience has shown that
with good soil the question of exposure has
but little significance or bearing. To those
who, in the wheat-growing districts of the
State, desire to plant vineyards, it is safe to
select any good wheat land. while almost any
of the lands in the foothills. with good cult
walton, will give good results.
HOW TO PLANT.
Some vine-growers have advocated plant.
ing rooted vines, but the majority, we think,
have found that cuttings planted where the
vine is to stand is the better and cheaper
plan to make vineyard. The soil should be
well and thoroughly cultivated and narrowed
down, then laid off with the pillow both ways
from six to eight feet apart, according to the
character of the soil-on good, strong soil
eight feet is near enough for the vines.
Where the burrows cross plant the cutting.
The cheapest, quickest and best way to do
this is to make the hole with a crowbar from
twelve to fifteen inches deep. Put the cutting
in, reaching the bottom of the hole and pro-
jecting above the surface one bud, or say two
inches. Holding the cutting in an upright
position, work the soil closely and compactly
about it with the crowbar, by striking it into
the soil in several places near the original
hole and pressing the soil towards the cutting,
Having planted the cuttings in this way,
level the ground with a harrow, being careful
not to touch the vines, and the work is done.