The record-union., 1899-09-24


sufficient to make up for the decrease
due to neglect and the ravages of in
sectS.
TRADE CONDITIONS.
Unfavorable trade conditions were in
large measure responsible for the re-
duction of prices to a point at which
producers could no longer exist
Both dealers and producers were by
the summer of 1892 fully aroused to
the danger threatening the future of
Il the industry. Frequent conferences
were held, but not tangible remedial
measures were adopted until the win
ter following, When the producers eS-
tablished system of cooperation; the
Wine Makers Corporation was formed,
and it soon controlled 80 per cent. OF
the output. The corporation was thus
enabled to practically control prices,
and it established a uniform system un-
der which wines were rated as stand
ard or common and extra or finer, ac-
cording to quality, all wines classed as
inferior to the first mentioned grade
being condemned as unfit for sale as
wine and ordered distilled A contract
was entered into by which an associa-
ton of the principal dealers agreed to
purchase from the Wine Makers Cor
poration 100000 gallons of wine year
ly at prices to be fixed by joint COM
mittee, or, If the committee could not
agree, by board of arbitration. I'm
der this arrangement matters for a
time improved. Later, some of the
producers, having entered the field as
dealers, underselling the dealers asso-
citation, the amieable agreement fell
through; so complete indeed, was the
rupture that some law suits ensued be-
: tween the two associations
AT the annual meeting of the Wine
Makers Corporation, in December,
1897, resolution was passed empower
ing the Board of Directors to enter the
markets of the world, and the board
has done so with marked success.
The outcome SO far seems to be that
the law suits referred to have been
compromised, and sale has been made
of 5,0Q0,O00 gallons of red wine to the
principal dealers of San Francisco at
prices varying from 121a to 10 cents
per gallon. This. in view of the phe-
: nomenal production of 1897 (27,000,000
gallons OF dry and about 100000 gal
Ions of sweet wines), seems a fair
price, although the production of 1898
may not exceed 100000 gallons.
THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY.
And now, after this retrospect of the
vicissitudes through which the indus
try has passed during the last fifty
years, which seems to have been neces-
sary in order to show its present con-
dition, what is to be said of it's fu-
ture?
Many mistakes and blunders have
been committed; indeed there should
be no hesitation in admitting that mis-
takes alone are to blame for any lack
of success-mistakes largely due to
oVerconfidence in the great resources
of soil and climate of California But,
in spite of all these vicissitudes, the
fact remains that there has been laid
the foundation of a great industry.
While many who entered the lists with
high hopes of success failed to
achieve it, either for want of means
or experience yet we cannot close our
eyes to the fact that survival of the
fittest" has again been the result, and
that there is still an army of those who
are confident of winning the fight, fully
alive to the task before them, and de-
termined to profit from the mistakes
of the past by avoiding them in the
future. Nor must the many obstacles
that confront the industry be forgot
ten. The consumption of wine among
Americans is not. as in many countries,
almost universal; moreover, among
those Americans who use wine there
are many who, as the result Of mere
fashion or fancy, continue to drink
wines bearing French and German
labels, preferring them at treble the
proce to good, wholesome California
wine. 1t is also we'll understood fact
that in catering to this very prejudice
many Of the best California wines are
offered for sale under foreign labels,
thus depriying the wine industry of the
State of all the reputation to which
their superior quality justly entities it,
While it is left to bear all the discredit
of the poor wine offered for sale under
the domestic label. 1t is moreover,
strikingly illustrative Of this American
prejudice in favor of things labeled
imported that even the best Ameri-
can wines are rarely, if ever offered
!. at great. banquets, even when these are
State celebrations, at least under their
own names. These are some of the dis
advantages attendant upon the effort
to build up native wine industry. Be-
sides all these, there are the difficulties
presented by the phylloxera and the
necessity of replanting with resistant
stocks. STILL many are bound to keep
on-some, perhaps, because, having in
vested their last dollar in the indus
try. they cannot go back; but the ma
jority still have faith that. with the
experience gained in the past and in
view of the measure of success at
tained and of the recognition awarded
California wine in foreign countries.
success viii eventually reward the per-
seyering and intelligent grape grower.
AT the Paris Exposition of 1889 not
less than thlrty-fve medals gold, sill
Yer and bronze) We're awarded to wines
made on the Pacific Coast and since
then many foreign experts have visit
ed our vineyards to judge for them
selves of the product While it has been
said that little more has been done
SO far than to make experiments. these
experiments have shown that Cali
fornia has a climate and soil not sur
passed elsewhere on the globe for the
production of fine wines and raisins.
The producers have learned to know
their shortcomings and their gains. and
this of itself is step to ultimate sue
cess. California grape growers think
they see the way clear before them,
and, undismayed they will flight it
out on that line" even if it takes sew
eraI summers.
EXTENSION OF TRADE.
,NsN