davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

der to enable it to Withstand the ordeal.
In the Capay valley the grape needs no
protection in the way Of thick skin, for
the climate is as mild as that of the most
favored spot in Spain. The same can be
said in regard to the number and size of
the seeds, for in this valley the grape
grows under exactly the same climatic con-
ditions is IL does IN the Malaga district.
FUTURE OF THE RAIsIN INDUSTRY.
In considering the future of the raisin
industry IN California, many have had
before them the fear of overproduc-
ton because of the rapid increase of the
product during the past few years. Those
who will take the pain, to investigate the
subject carefully, however, will have no
miSgivings on this point. Even if the
quality of much of the fruit which has
been placed upon the Eastern markets
during the past two years was such as to
enable it to hold its position in COMPETE
ton with the foreign product, it would
still take many years before California
couli produce enough to supply the home
consumption. But the fact * that
large percentage OF the California
product is not of good quality, because the
fruit Is grown upon soil and under climatic
conditions which are not favorable All
this will be remedied in time The r6sins
which will take and hold the market, will
be those produced where the soil and
climate are best adapted to their culture
Lands which have been planted to vine
yards and which are found to be Insult
aoe for that purpose, will be devoted t,
other uses, and the shrewd raisin-m iltr
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

will transfer the scene of his operations to
a locality where he can produce an article
equal to any and for which he will receive
the highes. market price. When the pc
culiar adaptability of Capay valley to the
production of raisins has become known
the probabilities are that the Luxurious
industry" as it has been aptly called, will
be the leading one for centuries to come.
ADVANTAGE OVER OTHER LOCALITIES.
The greatest advantage possessed by this
valley over other localities in connection
with raisin-making is its atmospheric con-
ditions. In many sections of the State the
here with as thin skin, as few and small
seeds, but the drying of the fruit in good
order is matter of great uncertainty.
In some places the grapes ripen so late,
and when laid down dry so slowly that
when they are ready to go into the sweat
boxes an early shower destroys or damages
the whole lot. Other places are found
where the grape reaches perfection early
enough to escape any danger of early rains,
but the quality of the raisin is impaired by
fogs or dew. To guard against these things
yineyardist are compelled to provide cover
ing for the fruit at night, which entails a
great deal of expense that must be added
to the cost of production and lessons the
profit. In the Capay valley the grape
ripens very early, and can be dried upon
the ground, in the vineyards, without fear
of damage from fog, dew or rain. The air
is SO dry and warm that the process of
evaporation is very rapid, and it will be
found that raisfns ran he nlaced unOn the
market from this valley at least two weeks
earlier than from any other locality in the
State. The commercial advantage of this
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

seem to happily combine to produce this
result. The French experts, Messrs. T.
Ludon and I. Rossiand, who, in making an
examination of the soil of the valley hid
specially in view its adaptabiity to the
culture of wine grapes, pronounced Capdy
valley in all respects preferable to Napa
valley for this purpose. This is testimony
Of the highest character, but it would not
he needed to convince anyone who has
made personal examination of the vine
yards now growing in the valley.
Upon the tracts purchased by the Capay
Valley Land Company there are i've
vineyards, all showing fine growth, and
demonstrating by their productiveness and
the quality of the fruit, the adaptability
of the soil and climate. The largest
covers 126 acres and is located midway be-
tween the towns of Guinda and Rumsey.
1t is situated on what has been known as
the Levy tract, comprising $50 acres of
splendid land. 1t is proposed to cut
this tract up into three pieces, so
as to give each purchaser a good-sized
vineyard in bearing and a fine tract OF
land suitable for the cultivation of either
fruit or cereals. The land will be so sub
divided that each purchaser will have
frontage on the county road, where he can
build his residence, having his trees in
front and his vineyard back of the house,
towards the hills on the southeast. The
vines on this place are three and four
years old, and will this year produce over
200 tons of fine quality of wine grapes,
most of them being of the Zinfandel va
riety.
This tract aouId he subdi vided ca nc IN
give twenty-five acres of vineyard with
fifty acres of the unimproved land. 1t
will be sold on long time, at low rate of
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

fornia, possessing many advantages over To-
calitjes that have already acquired an en-
viable reputation in this respect. The
writer refers to this subject after a per-
sonal inspection of the famous vineyards
of Spain, from Malaga to Valencia, and
after an extended experience in Southern
California as Superintendent of the largest
raisin-packing establishment IN this coun-
try. Devoted to the culture OF the raisin-
grape the commercial vaIIe of Ghis valley
can scarcely be conceived. IL is capable OF
producing nearly rs many raIsns as the
Malaga district, which furnishes to COM
merce product yielding millions of dol
lars annually. 1t would be Il never-failing
source of revenue, for while the crop NAV
be far better one year than another it
never proves a failure. Sach an industry
does not spring up one year and die uut
the next, but is a cont nual source of
wealth. Vineyards in Spain that are over
two hundred years old still continue to
yield regularly about the same amount every
year, and of equality that has not deterio-
rated with the lapse of time. These Malaga
vineyards have maintained their prestige
because they have been located where
the climatic conditions were more favor
able than in any other place that was
known until within the past few years.
Up to the time of the establishment of the
industry in California, the principal raisn
producing regions Of the world were the
province of Malaga and the Denia District,
south of Valencia, on the east coast Of
Spain, bordering on the Mediterranean and
running back into the foothills Of the
Sierras. Some few were produced in
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

Noir, Meunier Tannat, Semillon, Char
bono, Malbec, Colombian, Moselle Riesline,
Folle Blanche, Vests White Prolific and
great many others, and that there were
probably at least 5000 acres of new cut
tings put out in 1887, which will give
about 100,000,o00 vines in ALL
The wine-making interest represents
capital of about S6S000, 600, and gives
employment, directly and indirectly, to
$4,000 men.
wine yield was but 100000 gallons, while
the production in 1886 was 19,S00,000 gal
Ions; and the shipments of wines to
Eastern houses (which includes all points
east of the Missouri and Colorado rivers)
during 1886 amounted to an increase of
1000, 900 gallons over the wine shipments
of 1885; or an increase export to all points
outside of California of about 100000
gallons of wines during 1886 over that of
the year preceding.
BEYOND THE EXPERIMENTAL STAGE.
Wine-making in California has passed
the experimental stage, and great progress
has been made in planting, pruning, gath
ering, crushing, fermenting handling, stor-
ing and ageing, while the climatic condi-
tions and richness and varieties of soil
give to California wine-makers superior
advantages which will enable them, at no
distant day, to generally place better and
purer light dry red and white wines and
much purer sweet wines on the American
market than either Germany or France
Ten years ago very few epicurean Cali
fornians INDUCED in their own wines, es-
pecially in their clarets sweet wines and
champagnes, but during 1886 Californians
drank 100000 gallons of their own white
wines, 100000 gallons of red wines, 700,-
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

Morocco, in Smyrna, Ill Italy and Algiers,
and latter in Huesco, in South America,
but in none of these place to an extent
that made them felt in the commercial
world. The world had learned to look to
Malaga for perfection in raisins, and with
good cause, for the country surrounding
peculiarly adapted to the successful manu-
facture of the raisin, which was once
luxury, but has become almost necessity
TO every household in the land.
MALAGA AND cAPAY VALLEY.
The application of these observations
lies in the fact that the climate of many
parts OF Spain resembles that of Califor-
MIA, but nowhere is this resemblance SO
distinctly marked as in the climate of
Malaga and that of Capay valley. The
soil, too, has many striking points of
similarity, and there can be no reason
why the same success cannot be met with
in the manufacture of raisins here that
has made Malaga a household word
throughout the whole world
Certain portions of California have al
ready produced raisins equal in every
respect to those of Malaga, but it is we'll
known to the commercial world that the
districts in which these very fine raisins
have been produced heretofore are very
limited. 1t is fact that raisins manu-
featured at the same establishment from
grapes grown upon vineyards located
within two miles of each other turn out
to be of entirely different quality, and
what is of more importance, to possess a
very different market value. There is
no prodHct in the market to-day in which
the question of quality is of more vital
Importance, and the section of country
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

interest, and is one of the best investments
offered in the entire valley The vines
have never been irrigated, and will never
need any irrigation to insure an abundant
and never-failing crop.
Another splendid Illustration of the
adaptablility of the soil and climate of the
Capay valley to the culture of the wine
grape is
THE CELEBRATED ORLEANS VINEYARD
OF Arpad Haraszthy, which is located in
the foothills little south of the entrance
of the valley. The vineyard comprises
80 acres of old vines, from twenty to
twenty-eight years of age, and $50 acres
Of new vines, four years old. Twenty-Five
, acres are of Flame Tollay, a splendid ship
ping grape, which ripens much earlier
here than in any other part of the State
Madeline, another of the varieties pro-
duced here, can be marketed by the Fourth
of July.
There is a winery on the place with a
capacity of about 100000 gallons The
wines made are principally the Orleans
Rlesling, a white wine of high quality,
similar to the best Rhine wines; the Tin
fandel claret, which has a great resem-
| blance to the finer clarets of the Bordeaux
district in France, and is remarkable for its
bouquet, and the Burgundy Rose which
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

has a high flavor and strongly recalls the
best products of the Burgundy district.
Last year wines were also made from the
Semillon, Sauvignon, Folle Blanche,
Verbal Mataro, Tannat and other varieties,
for use in blending.
On this estate there are also growing
some 600 olive trees and several hundred
prune, persimmou, almond, orange, lemon,
English walnut and chestnut trees, all of
which GROW iuxuriantiy anywhere in
Capay valley.
SOME FACTS AND FIGURES.
In considering the future of the wine
industry of Capay valley it will be inter
esting To the reader to know something OF
the present condition of the industry in
California. Mr.. Ben c. Truman, com
petent authority on wines and grape cult
IRE, wrote a series of articles during the
year 1887, which presented a vast amount
of reliable information on the subject We
take the following data from a summary OF
his articles:
On January l, 1887, there were 81 n43
acres OF wine-growing grapes in California,
composed Of the "Old Mission" the grape
introduced by the Franciscans 100 years
ago; tine Zintandel, introduced by Colonel
Agoston Haraszrhy, some sixty-fve years
alterward and subsequently all the
choice varieties of Germany and France,
and other ountries, prominent among
which are the Carignane, Grenache, Ries-
ling, Golden Chasselas, Cabernet Sauvig-
non, Sauvignon-vert, Cahernet Franc, Bur
ger, TrousseaI. Merlot, Pinot Rose Petite
Boise, Black Burgundy, Mataro, Cnauche,
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

bottle, equal to $4,000 or 81 900 per acre
there being usually about 125 trees to the
acre. There are instances where the re-
ceipts for an acre of olive grove in Cali
fornia have reached $1,000. What has
been done in Santa Barbara county can be
done in Capay valley, for there is nothing
lacking to secure the same, if not better
results.
A PERMANENT INDUSTRY.
When the olive industry is once estab-
lished in country it becomes permanent
one, and is capable of supporting an enor-
nous population. In the country border
ing on the Mediterranean it employs the
industry and furnishes the entire support
of millions of people.
The touching story of the fight of the
dove from Noah's ark proves the exist
ence of the olive tree in the earliest
period of the worlds history. 1t was
| saved by the Almighty from the lestruc-
ton OF the deiuge and Il branch of it
was carried by the dove to Noah as
| token of forgiveness. 1t was celebrated
tree among the ancients and held the
first rank in their mythology. Minerva
Taught the Athenians how to prepare
+ the fruit, and they had most religious
respect for it. The Romans used the
wood not only as fuel, but on the
affairs of their gods as an emblem of
peace.
PROPAGATION AND YIELD.
The olive tree belongs to the Jasmine
family, with evergreen foliage and bios
SONS in clusters. 1t can be propagated
in many ways, but the best way is by
planting the seeds. This method is rarely
followed in this country, however, rs it
grows readily from cuttings, like the will
low, and will bear in eight or ten years.
From this time forward the yield IL
creases with the growth CT the tree,
which in favorable soils grow to i'm
mense size. There are many olive trees
standing in European countries to-day
which are over a thousand years old and
still bear fruit. In France the yield per acre
IS calculated at about $50 gallons. Judging
from the crops picked from the young
trees IN California 1t is fair to assume that
owing to more even climate and superb
GRITTY of soil the yield will be much greater
here than in France, when our trees have
reached maturity. In Italy, Spain and the
south Of France there are 100000 acres
devoted to olive trees, and about lS0,000,000
gallons of oil are produced, to say nothingo of
the immense quantities picked. The oil
made in France reaches 100 100000 gallons
annually, of which 100000 are imported
annually into the United States In Cali
tornia there were only about 1000 acres in
olive trees up to the present season, when
the area devoted to this fruit WAS largely
increased. 1t is only matter Of time
when olive-eulture Will become a leading
industry on this coast and yield an i'm
mense profit to the producers.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

which can produce the best article viii
reap the financial reward, for raisins of
the best grade will always command
prices which will be highly remunerative
to the producer, while the lower grades
will he sold at rates which will Weld him
small compensation for his time and
labor. Hence the importance of planting
vineyards where all of the surroundings
are most favorable.
COMPARISON OF QUALITY.
1t has been claimed for the Spanish
raisin that the skins are thinner and more
tender and the seeds smaller than in the
California raisin. This claim has some
foundation when the comparisons us made
between the Spanish raisin and those pro-
duced in some portions of this State, but
it will not hold good if the comparison is
made with raisins grown in this valley.
The reason for this is obvious Those
who first engaged in the cultivation of the
raisin grape in this State, while they
planted the same grape from which the
Malaga raisins are made. i. e. the White
Muscat of Alexandria, or Muscatel, Sc
lected localities which were not in every
respect suited to the production of raisins
in perfection. Vineyards were set out in
exposed localities and nature protected the
germ of lie with heavier coating in or
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14
GRAND IRRIGATION SCHEME.
Water for Two Hundred aud Fifty Thou
sand Acres of Land.

sand Acres of Land.
Every portion Of Capay valley Is naw
productive without the aid of irrigation,
and it is not necessary to insure a good
crop, either Of cereals or any kind Of fruit.
but the experience of the world has de-
monstrated that the productive capacity of
the soil may be largely increased by resort
to artificial fertilization, through the in
strumentality of irrigation. The richest
and most populous countries in the world
are those where land and water have been
brought into artificial contact. OF this
truth Holland is the most notable ex-
ample. and the Kingdom Of Lombardy
stands next in the value Of its testimony.
Southern California has demonstrated what
can be done by applying water to ordinary
desert land, which produced absolutely
nothing before system of irrigation was
adopted. A country which was worthless
in its natural state has been transformed
into one of wonderful productiveness, and
the land Is now held at about $1,000
per acre.
As already stated, irrigation is not a
necessity to the rich and fertile soil of
Capay valley, but in the future it may
be found desirable to increase the
production by such artificial means
When that time arrives the water is
at hand for the accomplishment of this
purpose. AT a comparatively trihing ex-
pense 100000 acres OF land lying tributary
to the town of Esperanto could be irrI-
gated from Cache creek. Every foot of land
in Capay valley. and vast areas beyond it,
could be brought under this system of irri-
gation,.the water being supplied from Clear
Lake. This beautiful body of water is in
some places one hundred and fifty feet
deep. The lake is over twenty-five miles
long, seven miles wide at one place and has
an average width of about two miles. 1t
now occupies a territory equal to about
three townships or about 10000 acres.
The reduction of its margin, by lowering
the lake to irrigate the lands in Capay
valley and the contiguous country, would
lay bare about $4,000 acres of very fertile
land, which would be that much gained by
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

the settlers upon the lake. To accom-
plish this purpose it would only be
necessary to lower the outlet to
the lake about three feet, controlling the
water by system of gates, carrying it
along the hills on both sides of the vai'ey
and distributing it through service bitches
where it was needed. A glance at the map
will show the entire feasibility of the plan.
the immense area which could be irrigated
and the trifling expense necessary TO ac-
oOp,nIicb ~
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14
OLIVE CULTURE.
What May be Done With the Olive in
Cspay Valley.

Cspay valley.
In the near future the olive and olive
oil industry will be prominent one in
this lovely valley. All of the conditions
necessary to the production of this most
important article of commerce in perfec-
ton are found there. 1t will not be an
experiment, for olive trees may be seen
growing in many parts of the valley to-
day, and there is no spot in the world
where the climate is more congenial
What can be done in the way OF olive cult
ure has been demonstrated in different
localities in the State, notably in Santa
Barbara county, by Mr.. Elwood Cooper,
who has there grove of 5000 trees that
yield him annually 5000 bottles of the
finest oil, which he sells readily at 81 per
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14
YiSEYARD .

The Hun ides of Capay Valley the Home
OF the Wine Grape.
That the foo,hill lands in Capay valley
are peculiarly adapted TO the successful
culture of wine grapes is evidenced by the
vineyards already in bearing there. The
industry has passed beyond the stage of
experiment, anu ii has been demonstrated
that a better quality of wine grape can be
produced here than in almost any other
portion of this country. Soil and climate
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14
RAISIN.MAkiNG.
Advantages Possessed by this Valley
Over Other Localities.

Over Other Localities.
What the leading industry of this beau
tiful valley will be in the future is, of
course, but matter OF conjecture at this
time, but it is safe to say that the luxuri-
Gus industry of raisin-making will be
among the most successful, because here
will be found in perfection the necessary
conditions of soil and climate for the
growing of the grape and the atmospheric
conditions requisite in the manufacture Of
raisins.
Capay valley will be found to be one of
the best disappointing sections Of Cali
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14
THE FIG.
Cspay Valley Suitable for .La White
Smyrna Zig.

Cspay Valley Suitable for .Le white
smyrna zig.
There Is every evidence that theclimatic
conditions of Capay valley are exactly
suited to the cultivation Of the white
Smyrna zig, which fact will prove of great
Importance to the fruit industry of this
State. A number of different varieties of
delicious figs grow all over the State, and
large quantities are now shipped, both
fresh and dried, to the Eastern markets;
but for some reason the Smyrna ig, known
as the hg Of commerce, has not yet been
successfully cultivated here. Just what
the reason of the failure has been it is DIFF
ticult to decide, but it is more than prob
able that those who have experimental
with the Smyrna fig have done so in local
tiles not altogether suited to It's culture.
Some writers have contended that success
has not attended the efforts to produce the
Smyrna fig because the growers have not
practiced caprifcation, as the orchardists
of SMYRNA do.
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

needs only to be suggested to any person
who has had any experience in the mar
keting of any kind of fruit. The same
rule that applies to early green fruit gov
erns in the raisin market. The first of the
new crop always commands the highest
price and fills the shelves of the most
active and energetic merchants. 1t costs
just as much to produce the late crop as.
the early one, while the difference in the
price realized is very material.
PROFITS OF THE BUSINESS.
As to the profits of raisin vineyards, the
following statement can be relied upon,
taking ten acres as the basis:
Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-14

Many instances could he mentioned
where the profits of vineyards every year
are from 500 to 5000 per acre, and III some
instances even greater, bat the figures
given are only intended to show the yield
Of an average vineyard. For instance, the
price mentioned for rdisins in the
sweat-box is the average price paid for the
entire crop throughout the Stare In GER
tain favored localities, and for raisins pro-
duced on particular vineyards, double that
amoant is often paid