Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-08

ten to twenty poun Is to the vine. As
there are about 750 to the acre it will
be seen that the aggregate will be
far above any trifling figure.
But vines are not the only thing on
the ranch. There are 365 acres in it in
all. The low rolling hills are all set
with young olive trees that are doing
well. There is also large stand of bees
that make great deal of honey. The
hives are in sheltered spot we'll up the
hill side. There is a small orchard of
deciduous fruits, peaches, apricots,
figs and pruEes on the place,
:he wonders of whose fruitfulness
would sound like gross exaggerations to
any ears not accustomed to hear of what
fruit trees will do in such soil as that on
the ranch in question. There are prune
trees of the French petit variety that
are a marvel to look upon. The fruit
can be ikened to nothing so well as to a
swarm of bees. Anyone who has seen
these winged creatures alight in bunch
until they lie three or four deep know
how they look-so looks the fruit on
these fruit trees. The flowers on a
spray of bridal wreath look close and
crowded. They are sparsely distributed
as compared with the prunes on these
trees.
Now as to the results of this enter
prise. There is no more doubt as to the
soundness of the wine than there is to
that of the vines from which
this delicious and health-giving
beverage is made. The ranch
is supplied with three excellent
cellars, with abundant cooperage and all
the appliances in the way of tools,
horses, machinery, etc., to cultivate the
vineyard, to make the product into
wine, and to cure it after it is made.
There is also still house, furnished
with all the most modern appliances for
making brandy. The cellars are just
now supplied with good stock of fine
wines and brandies. There are white
and red wines, sweet and dry wines and
a most excellent article of sherry, and as
good of brandy. 1t is doubted that Cal
ifornia can make good sherry. That
doubt will be removed by sampling
the stock in these cellars.
The ranch has sherry house
with every necessary facility for the
manufacture of this delicious variety
of wine. The varieties sampled by the
party last week included claret, port,
dry white, angelica, sherry and brandy.
They were all of the best qualities,
sound, of good color, wholesome in their
effect, and in all ways satisfactory. 1t
is somewhat remarkable that the owners
of this property were business men of
this city, who went into this enterprise
for the most part as an experiment. Yet
no one in this section has made greater
success in their vineyards or wine-cellars
than these. The ranch is in an admir-
able state OF cultivation. Mr.. Mcclure
is the hand at the bellows and he does
the work well. 1t would be hard to find
weed in the 200 acres of vines. The
whole ranch is in admirable order, and
the quality of the wine speaks for ITSELF
He is aided a great deal by the excel
lent nature of the soil, which is of great
depth and as friable as heap OF ashes.
In digging a well to the depth of 160
feet no change was met in the nature of
the soil. But Mr.. Mcclure has taken
full advantage of all in his favor. A bit
of waste below the gate is planted with
gum trees that are now Of large growth,
and will from this on supply half
dozen ranches with fuel. There is also
reservoir on the ranch of large ca
pacity.
The condition of these vines is of
more than passing interest. 1t is
guarantee of our vineyard interests for
the future. Here is place where those
desiring to replant their vineyards may
procure an abundance of perfectly
healthy cuttings of the best varieties Of
wine grapes. As it becomes an assured
fact that the disease has come to an end |
there will be great demand for such
cuttings. Meantime the owners of this
fine property have veritable bonanza
in their vines, as grapes and wine are
sure to be dear for many years to come,
until the vineyards are re-established in
the state.