Weekly Chillicothe crisis., 1884-10-30
Grapes and Wine.

grapes in this country is almost mar
velous. Persons in middle life can re.
member when a cluster of home.
grown cultivated grapes was n great
curiosity. They were sometimes on
exhibition at fairs or displayed in the
windows of fruit stores, but were
never seen in the general market. A
very few persons raised choice grapes
in lighthouses, but the varieties that
would grow in the open air were very
limited. A few families had imported
grapes on their tables at Thanksgiving
and Christmas, but most persons could
not afford so expensive luxury even
twice year. Singularly enough it
was generally believed that no portion
of our vast territory was a good grape
country. Wild-grape vines were found
in nearly every state and territory, and
they generally produced large crops,
but the belief was general that cultiva-
ted varieties would not succeed here as
they did in central and southern Eu-
rope. By the persistent efforts of few
Germans, French, and Hungarian1s
ular They demonstrated that as fine
grapes could be produced here rs in
foreign countries. Soon amateurs and
nurserymen began to experiment in
the production of new varieties especi-
ally adapted to certain soils and eli
mates. Their success surpassed their
expectations. They produced varie-
ties superior for table purposes to any
raised in the most favored regions of
Europe. Grapes have become common
articles of food. In many cities they
are as common as apples. They are
so cheap that nearly every family buys
them and uses them freely. They are
much cheaper than peaches, plums or
any of the fruits that are raised on
bushes. 1t is probably true that more
persons now raise grapes than any
kind of cultivated fruits. Nearly ev-
eryonc who owns or occupies a plot
of ground has a grape vine. The pro-
duction of grapes is not restricted to
the country. The grapevine flourish
es in the village garden and the city
lot.
We have reached the time when
every man may "sit under his own
vine" In some parts of the country
grapes have become so plenty that
they can not all be consumed in the
state they are in when ripe. They are
accordingly converted into raisins and
wine. Slowly, perhaps, but nevcrthe-
less surely, we are becoming a wine
producing and wine-drinking people.
During the first half of our history rum
was the popular strong drink. By de-
grees whisky took its place. Then came
German beer. The indications now are
that wine will be generally used here
rs it is in Germany, France, and Italy.
There are now 10000 acres in vine.
yards in California alone, 80 per cent
of whose product is converted into
wine. A gentleman who has collected
the statistics writes: Ten years ago
the yield of California claret was only
100000 to 100000 gallons; last year it
exceeded 100000. Ten years ago
there were 5, 900 to 5000 cases of cham
pagnc made in the state; last year
there were $4,000 cases. The total vim
tage of California last year was from
5000, 600 to l0,00O,00O gallons, repre-
senting money value of $4,000, 900.
About 100000 gallons of this product
is consumed in the state of California,
which has a population of only about
900, 900 souls; the remaining 100000
gallons find u market in the eastern,
middle, and southern states of the
union. may mention that in south
ern California there is single vine
ward which has turned out during the
last four years an average of about
6OO, 900 gallons of wine and 100, 900 gal
Ions of brandy annually, all of which
finds ready sale at remunerative
prices. Onc-half this product is from
grapes grown on the estate, which has
now zoo acres in bearing; the other
half is from grapes purchased from
neighboring small vineyards at price
of $50 to $22 per ton of 1000 pounds.
At this purchase price for grapes the
wine costs about 20 cents per gallon,
and this wine, at two years old. sells
for so to rs cents per gallon.
Ill tue OplulOn VI many Si"pO- SioM-
ing and wine-making will soon be the
leading industrial interests in the state
that was settled by gold-diggers. Ari-
zona and New Mexico are very promis-
ing wine-producipg territories. The
Jesuit missionaries who visited these
parts of the country long before their
occupation by English-speaking
people were wise in their genera
ton, and understood what crop was
best adapted to the climate and soil.
They planted grape-vines at every
place where they erected a church.
Nor Is the profitable production of
grapes for wine limited to the far west
and south. Missouri, Ohio, and New
York are becoming distinguished for
the amount and excellency of their
wines. The prejudice in favor of
foreign wines is rapidly disappearing.
American wines are in great favor in
London. Many foreigners who visit
this country declare that the wine they
obtain here is superior to that found
in Germany and France. Still, we are
new in the business of grape-growing
and winc-making, and the best results
have not been reached. - Chicago
Times.