Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-01-29
THE vIT1oULrURAL ComMlssIoN.

The first annual report OF the Viticult-
ural Commissioners is a highly valuable
and creditable one. 1t shows that the selec-
ton of the Commissioners was judieious,
and that they have one and all labored
conscientiously and zsaIously to further
the purposes of their organization. This re-
port embodies greater amount of impor-
tant information concerning the condition,
prospects, drawbacks and difficulties of
Californian viticulture than has ever be-
tore been gathered together. Each Com
missioner has filed report in MS own
district and Mr., Wetmore, the Vice Presi.
dent, has furnished most interesting and
valuable essay on the whole subject, pre-
senting clear view OF the entire field
succinctly and lueidly. The report also
contains lecture by Professor Hilgard
and one by MIR. Blowers and sew
eral papers on che phylloxera, and the
remedies for that pest which have thus
far proved most successful. In short, we
are pleased with the opportunity of ex-
pressing our opinion that this is one Of the
few Commissions which has shown itself
capable of doing well real work which
needs greatly to be done. After reading
this report we are moreover convinced that
it would be impolitic to merge the
Viticultural Commission in the State
Board of Agriculture, for we are satisfied
that this Commission has before it task
requiring undivided and constant atten-
ton for many years to come, and the labors
of which ought therefore to be kept under
one supervision. This interest, In fact, is
growing to such proportions that it re-
quires to be separated out from all other
interests, and to be accorded a special
branch of administrative supervision. 1t is
evident that while very great deal re-
mains to be learned by our wine
growers and raisin- makers, they are grad
ually acquiring better methods, and are
consequently producing better results 1t
is especially encouraging to learn that
really excellent light red and white wines
are now being made in increasing quanti-
ties, and that the heavy wines manufact-
ured exclusively from the Mission grape,
and which have given California wines so
bad name for readiness and fiery quail.
tiles, are being more and more superseded
by the wholesome and harmless vintages
referred to. Many difficulties besides the
phyIloxera have yet to be encountered
The wines Of California appear to make
little way among local hotel keepers and
restaurateurs, who prefer to sell imported
brands, or who, if they do buy native
wines, retail them under foreign
labels. Meanwhile it is shown that
France is importing almost more
wine than she exports, her vineyards
having been SO ravaged by the phylloxera
that her wine manufacture is well-nigh
dead. OF course it follows that the So
called French wines imported to this
country are Worked-oyer VIntaSes, ana IL
is certain that not a little California wine
enters into their composition. 1t is most
desirable that our viticuiturists should
refrain from attempting to pass their wines
off as foreign, however, no matter what
the temptation. They should improve the
manufacture at every opportunity, and
seek constantly to raise the quality of the
grapes. But after all the vintages of Cali
fornia must stand on their own merits if
they are to obtain real reputation. We
cannot close this article without once
more calling attention to the admirable
manner in which the work of the Viticult-
ural Commission has thus far been per.
formed, and we hope that the Legislature
will not fail TO provide for the continuance
of the valuable labors of this Board.