Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-03-25

veloped state as not to permit of their
leisurely exploitation by men of restricted
means. Governor Stanford has already
conferred signal benefits upon this State
by his experiments in the breeding of
horses at Palo Alto, and if he deals in the
same large way with the vineyard ques-
ton he will undoubtedly accomplish
equally important results. And the time
is propitious for just this kind of enter
prise. Wine. growing in California may
be said to have emerged from its first
crude period, during which little more
could be said thap that it was possible to
make wine out of some of our grapes, but
very little of which wine was drinkable.
Much injury was done at this time by the
ridiculous attempts of some feeble. minded
but patriotic persons, to bully the world
into accepting our crude vinous expert
ments as really good wine. OF course
this was fat failure, and it caused mis-.
chievous reaction, expressed in the con-
clusion that California wine was hope
lessly bad. Gradually, however, improve
meat proceeded. Our pioneer wine.
makers, who had been pulled up at first
by the inconsiderate praises of the afore-
said weak minded persons, were chastised
by the rough reception they encountered
in the outside world, and realized that
they must amend their methods before that
world would accept their wines. At first
they had proceeded in haphazard way.
Vines were planted anywhere and every
where Graftings were made in the most
unscientifc manner. The wine was manu-
factured in the most primitive and slovenly
way. The general result was a full
bodied, strongly alcoholic wine, with
disagreeable, earthly after-taste. 1t was
too strong to drink, and most of it was
also too nasty for cultivated palates.
But when the phylloTero fell upon the
French vineyards, and it became evident
that really great opening for California
wines was about to be made, a fresh in
terest was taken in viticulture, more cap.
ital and care were put into it, and our
vine. growers began to travel abroad for
ideas, and to apply the latest results of
European experience in their vineyards
The State Viticultural Society, under the
cole and energetic management of Charles
Wofpoora yava rc,rT yafr1u IN ha bu ci
ness, and guided it into the right channels
but still there was needed the help which
can be given in no other way go well as by
a wealthy man whose aim is to develop
the utmost possibilities of the grape in Cal
ifornia, without regard to the immediate
return of any profit upon his productions.
There can be no doubt that this is also
the soundest business, as Governor STAN
ford has already showed at Palo Alto.
If, for example, he can, by the expendi.
ture of even SO large capital as $500, 900,
bring into existence vineyard capable of
producing wine which will compare favor.
ably with the higher class of French vint-
ages, it is clear that he will have created
a property the ultimate value of which
Will certainly be so great as to yield
handsome return upon the whole Of the
investment. The incidental benefit to
the viticultural interest will be very great,
moreover. Governor Stanford's expert
ments, though paid for with his money,
will be at the service of the whole State,
and the poor vineyardists, who could not
themselves afford to make such expert
ments, will reap these benefits gra-
tuitously. The time, we have said, is
peculiarly propitious for this adventure,
for California wines have attained Just
so much vogue abroad that by advancing
in quality they may assure their position,
while by retrograding they may lose their
standing entirely, and be relegated to the
ignoble function of supplying the base
for fabricated French viatages. And it
must be realized that great deal remains
to be done before our wines will justify
boasting. At present we have few
brands which are praiseworthy, the Tin
fandel heading the scanty list. We must,
however, have a much better wine than
Zinfandel before we can talk seriously of
supplanting the vineyards of France, and
in creating these high-class wines Governor
Stanford has very important mission to
fulfill. 1t will be matter of patience,
purse, constant and diversified expert
ment, and skilled workmanship. Vines
cannot be hurried into the production
of an improved grape, nor can new and
crude wines be hurried into excellence
by any mechanical devices. Time is the
necessary factor in many of the processes
involved, and whoever expects success in
this line must be prepared to allow suf-
ficient time for everything. This Governor
Stanford can well afford to do. He will
not be growing wines for any particularmar-
ket. 1t will be no object to him to hasten
any of the processes. Ii he makes mistakes
he can rectify them at leisure. He can levy
contributions upon all the vineyards Of
Europe, and secure the fullest knowledge
for his assistants. In this way it will be
possible for him to solve the problem as to
capabilities of California, and
to solve it 80 affectually that his conclusions
will be accepted thenceforth and for all
time. That he will succeed in producing
wines immeasurably superior to the best
we can at present boast of, must be the
hope of all who are concerned in the prog
ress and welfare of what promises to be-
come one of the most important interests in
the State.
LEoPoLD'S ANNUITY.
Mr.. Gladstones motion for an additional
en- nQn . x-o,r Co. D-,roa Iooroll -. Al