The morning call., 1892-08-29
NOTES FROM NILES.
a Section of the State Where VINEYARDS
Flourish.

section OF the State where Vineyards
Flourish.
a fnll century ago there were vineyards
about the old Mission San Jose, large aud
well cared for, skirilng close about the
hills, and orchards also in which were the
commoneI or harder variety of trees. They
were surrounded, however, later as the
cattle increased. with a rough wall of stone
and earth. which can still be traced
struggling over the hillsIdes. The people
have gone as have the cattle and the $4,000
Indians who were attached TO the Mission
and did what work was done In the valley.
Besides half dozen pear trees, one or two
vines and the old olives close about the old
Mission site, not yestge remains OF the
agricultural era of a century ago.
But now, taking the Mission as a center.
vineyards skirt the base of the hills in a
narrow line down toward Warm Springs
To tie south, where they spread down into
the valley, covering several hundreds OF
acres, follow north narrow belt u Niles,
and are fast covering the spur of hills which
luts out from Tho peak and projects into
tie valley mile or more 10 IrVington.
Ihs spur Of hills seems TO be the home of
the wineries in this valley, indeed there are
but two or three elsewhere In the county. near
Piea5anton and Warm Springs. TIE old
Padres chose well, the soil In the ueiQhh hhor.
hood of the Mission seems TO be particularly
suited to the sTap'. The Gallegos yiueyard
spreads out more than square mile in
extent northwest Of the Mission and on the
lowest slopes.
As seen from almost any point in the val
ley the sleepy old tewn lies in an emerald
setting, vineyards rising on the slope half
mile back OF II, south all the splendid
Mciyor vineyards and others lying all about
It, spreading clear down into the valley.
Professor Hiligard has a vineyard on tie
ifa
McIyOr is making wines in his cellar that
have already established q reputation in
Europe. The Gallegos winery, the finest
this side OF the Rockies, lies just at Irving
ton' and hali-doZen smaller ones are be-
tween.
Vines are as rule healthy la this town
ship, but do not do well down in the valley.
where they mildew badly. The only care
aside from pruning and plowing is to sui
plur them a proper intervals.
No raisn grapes are grown here and but
few table grapes; they are all for wine
The few who have attempted TO raise ana
sell table grapes have had such poor returns
year after year that they are turning every
thing into wine grapes. The grapes are
sold 10 the several wineries. There are
thousands of Portuguese in this valley and
all make their own barrels of wine each
season. using it as freely as Americans do
water or tea.
There has been so much talk lately about
perhaps check further planting for some
time to come; however. in this township
there are thousands of acres yet implanted
that are Just as desirable for vineyards as
any that ara planted. While speaking of
vineyards and wine-making due credit
should be given TO Charles A. WetmoIe, to
whom Is undoubtedly due the great success
OF Mine-makiDg In all this county.
Wine-drinkiDg in the valley is more gen.
era than Is usual In rural districts. Many
fgf 4aSa xstsa fhA falNl -zo ~.
many smaller wineries which generally
turn out an excellent claret.
In this township are four great indus
tries, fruit-growing, wine-making, a sugar
teet factory and extensive salt works, and
still there is room Tor each % grow. To these
perhaps might well be added the growing of
early vegeta bles, there being close TO 500 600
worth sent TO the city markets from our
depets each spring. And just here is a
queer circumstance, none of these carly
peas or potatoes can be bought at our
stores; as a rule they are shipped to the
city, where they are purchased by our
dealers, sent back and retaied ont. Rather
a ridiculous state of affairs.
The sugar factory al Alvarado will begin
handling beets sometime about the end of
September, and the growers are fearful of n
wet and early winter. fsO, without doubt
many beAts will be lost, as much of the
land is liable 10 overflow; the roads are
bad and the mill will not receive muddy
this year. The price is 81 30 ton.
The Union High School has opened with
nearly double the attendance of last term.
which was the first of its existence: the
teachers, Professor w. II. Wentworth and
Miss G. Croker. are thoroughly qualified
for their work.
There is good deal of satisfaction ex-
pressed because of the prospect that the
electric road is to be Immediately buiJt
from Haywards TO San Jose, the company
having petitioned the Supervisors to desiS-
nate the portions of the county road to be
used.
There are still few campers in our beau-
tifnl canyon and parties of San Franciscans
or Oakianders are spending the warm fall
DAYS in or about Niles.
The Episcopal Society is busy preparinp q
for an entertainment which will be given
within a month for the benefit of the build
ing fund. They have chosen lot adjoining
the Congregational Church and will build
very soon.
The Spare Minute Circle have held their
first fall meeting. elected officers and are
ready for winters work and pleasures. A
monster S. G. +. praise service will be held
in lrvington, Friday evening, September 8,
Delegates from all the churches i'm the
county are to be present. Five hundred
persons are expected and elaborate prspara-
tions are being made to render the service a
success. MRS. L. E. TuANr
Niles, Aug. q.