The record-union., 1892-08-29
GROWERS IN COUNCIL.
What Was Done in the Meeting at
San Jose.
Thorough Investigation of the Market
Prospeots-Proposed Action
to Be Taken.

SAN JOSE, Aug. 27.-The feature of the
late meeting, composed of twenty wine
producers, was the report of William
Wehner, who had been constantly en-
gagged for the past two weeks in investi-
eating the outlook for the coming wine
crop.
His idea of the future of the industry
was very gloomy. On the basis of the re-
ports and figures of the Viticultural
Board he reasoned that full crop is
about twice what we can sell in the
United States, and that we have no for
eign market nor any good chance of ex-
tending trade.
He found the present crop light, and in
the bulk of the vineyards in bad condi-
ton. Bunches are generally small and
punches. Still, in some vineyards there
is fair crop.
One wine dealer wants 10000 tons of
grapes, and says that he expects to pay
Sl2 per ton for red grapes and s. per ton
for white.
He recommends a combination of
growers to keep % per cent. of the crop
out of the market by, first, turning it into
brandy: second, drying the grapes; third,
destroying the vines.
He figures that owners of 1000 tons of
grapes in Cupertino District can buy and
equip distillery and realize about S. 25
per ton, besides interest in distillery.' The
proposition is to place the brandy in the
hands OF trustees in warehouses under
such conditions that they cannot sell in
the United States i'll three years.
be thinks three-fourths of the wine
crop would bring more money than the
whole, and that receipts from brandy
would be clear gain to growers. Fresno
is turning the bulk of her sweet wine
grapes into brandy. Napa and Alameda
are drying large quantities.
The Napa society passed a resolution
condemning the policy of replanting
vineyards destroyed by phyloxera.
Must condensers will use a large
amount OF wine grapes. He thinks there
are now in store 100000 gallons in San
Francisco, 100000 gallons in the coun-
try.
Mr.. Wehner's disastrous predictions
were earnestly opposed by some speakers
and only partially indorsed by the bal
ance.
William Postlethwaite, who lately ar
rived from New Zealand, named friend
who had bought brandy of 1891 at 95 cents
per gallon and gave good satisfaction to
conslgnees and expects to be "a steady
buyer. This gentleman thinks the trou-
bic has been more from adulterated wine
and unskillful handling than from any
other sources. 1t would be better if
thirty-nine We're making wine in Santa
Clara instead of ninety-three.
Besides combination to curtail output
it was suggested that wine-makers and
brewers join prohibitionists in a crusade
for prohibitory license on whisky and
use OF mild stimulants. A gentleman of
experience in Napa as we'll as Santa Clara
County called attention to the fact that
dealers had been able to build fine estab-
lishments, while growers had been suffer-
ing disaster and thought it important to
secure more direct and economical con-
tact between producer and consumer.
A committee was instructed by the
meeting to draw up proposition in bind
ing form with the idea of sending out a
Canvassing Committee of ten at the next
meeting to solicit signatures of growers.
Action is proposed in case 70 per cent. of
growers agree. Adjourned two weeks.
FRANK S. CHAPLIN.