Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-08-11
THE GRAPE CROP.
A LARGE YIELD FROM PRESENT
OUTLOOK.
Instructi ons Sent to Inspectors OF
the State ViticuItural Commits
sion OF California.

lASoSAi0 SSHopAii ~S ioiAoho-
in view Of the present outlook for
large crop Of wine grapes in the coming
vintage many wine-makers have been in
duced to hurry their wines into the mar
ket at ridiculously low prices, causing a
comparative stagnation to the industry in
many producing sections. This, aug
mented by the evil effects of exaggerated
estimates OF the expected crop of '88, have
greatly demoralized our grape-growers,
who follow the example of wine-makers,
and are already offering grapes at prices
which will not suffice to pay more than
one-haif the expense OF cultiyating the
vineyard.
We look to the future for permanent re-
lief from these improper causes. Correct
Congressional legislation must be our ulti-
mate redemption. The increased consump
tion Of our wines, which increase amount
ed to over 100000 gallons in 1887, will
assist us in few years; but in the mean
time many growers are threatening to
pull up their vineyards and sacrifice to
the temporary glut the results of great
expense and years of patient labor.
OUR vINE-GRowERs GENERALLY
Have used all means within their power to
spread the use and popularity of their
pure California wines, but nothwithstand-
ing all this, the fact now becomes plain
that last years ruinous prices for wine
grapes are not only apt, but are sure soon
to prevail and even lower figures are
threatened in sales already made. The
dealers tell us that over-production is the
cause of the present condition of the mar
ket, therefore let us face the music, and if
a mutual understanding can be reached
a 1 i
asserting in advance-there lies within
their power a means of at least partly
remedying the evil.
TIE OBJECTS OF THIS PAPER
Are to call upon the vineyardists in each
different section to unite in their separate
associations, in an endeavor TO so diminish
the production of wine in the approaching
vintage as to insure paying prices for the
grapes Incidental to this it becomes ne
cessary for the inspectors and officers of
this Board to advise and instruct their CO.
laborers in the various means of disposing
of that portion of their grapes which they
may decide TO withdraw from wine max
ing.
For the consideration of the various
local organisations throughout the State,
1 suggest the following, which, generally
supplemented with appropriate details
will furnish immediate relief to the
grower, and increase permanetly the sta
bility of our future wine markets: Let
it be decided that one-half the grapes pro
duced in the locality shall be
WITHHELD FROM THE WINE MAKER,
Unless the sale of the whole of any vine.
yard can be made at an average price tc
be decided upon as sufficient to properly
compensate the grower in that district.
1t is estimated in some places to cost or
an average $l5 per ton 20 raise and deliver
grapes. If this be the price decided upon
let each grower sell one-half his crop al
the best price obtainable; with the under
standing that the other half can be sole
only on condition that the price of the
whole shall average SIS per ton or over
this viii induce each grower to demand {
high figure for the first half in hopes O
thereby becoming enabled to sell the bal.
ance. If the first half be sold low, the
second half must reach an improbable
figure to enable him to sell.
Again if there be any classification o.
grapes in the locality, only the most de
sirable vineyards will be made up entirely
into wine. II is known that for many rea
sons
SERIOUS DIFFICULTY Is ENCOUNTERED,
In inducing yineyardists TO join and remain
true 10 common understanding of this ma
ture. This is the case particularly wheI
the industry is in a prosperous condition
and when the regulations impose an,
serious penalty or expense on compliance
but here and now there exists condition
of affairs very different If one-half tn
grapes he withheld from wine, the price Q
this latter commodity still plentiful in tn
cellars Of the maker, held unstable sine
last year, will advance in value. Thus tn
measure brings relief to the wine-make
as well. He, too, halls with equal pleasur
this means OF reducing production.
OTHER USES FOR GRAPES.
To the producer of grapes there come
no penalty with the proposed plan, for a
the low prices now promised there is littl
difficulty in disposing of the unsold hal
crop by other means, among which are tn
following: l. Drying. q Distilling.
Vinegar r-malzing. 4. Selling fresh to loca
markets 5. Boiling into cheap syrup fo
domestic use or sale.
SAVED BY DRYING.
By this means, it has recently bee
demonstrated that the grapes may be mad
to net the grower from Sl2 TO $40 per to
varying with the adaptability of tn
locality for the process. Many carloads {
dried wine grapes were shipped from Ca
ifornia last year, the lowest price realize
being 81 cents per pound. This-allowin
So 334 per ton of fresh grapes, for the e2
pense of drying-nets the grower SIS pc
ton for fresh grapes, be they Malvois
Zinfandel or Mission Better prices tina
this viii doubtless be realized, for it go,
without saying that 81 cents per pound ft
healthful dried fruit like raisins wi
cali up an immense demand from HON
markets not to mention that of foreig
countries
USED IN DIsTILLING.
Here, again, is an important means
disposlng Of the half surplus which ma
arise, means to which certain localiti,
are particularly adapted, and for whic
they are provided with abundant appl
ances, even with the present low price
brandy All of our surplus could
worked off at $40 to S12 per ton for IL
grapes, prices paid in some sections la
year for grapes of inferior quality, an
figures which would at least make tt
grower even, when computed with the bettt
price realized for the half Of the crap
sold to the wine-maker.
SOLD FOR VINEGAR.
Sales were made of spoiled white wiz
last year to vinegar makers for IA cen
per gallon. Much more was desired
this wine than could be had at the pri'
named Nearly all red grapes may
used for wine vinegar if pressed withol
fermenting, thereby obtaining white wiz
the only kind desired for vinegar. TIL
pays the grower over twelve dollars p,
ton for the grapes, besides assisting to pr
vide the public with healthy substitu
for the vinegar so commonly sold and d
nominated as cider vinegar, retailed at
cents to 25 cents per gallon, but which,
reality, is only vinegar made from grai
spirits, the by-product of yeast manufac
ure-which vinegar is commonly sold
the trade at from four to six cents p
gallon.
Local markets will, if properly manage
take great quantities of homemade vim
gar. Vinegar properly made from win
where known to be pure wine vinega