Arizona republican., 1908-07-12
RECORD BREAKING
 CROP OF GRAPES
Large Forces At Work Picking and
 Packing At All of the Vineyards.

Concerning the production of Thompson Seedless grapes in this sec tion Of the Salt River valley. let it be said that if anyone is skeptical as to the successful growing and profit from this industry, he should come to Mesa at this time and witness the busy scenes at all the vineyards connected with the harvest of this fruit which is now on at the height of it's activity, and unless he is a pessimist of one of thes dyed-in- the Wool-type. he will surely go away firmly convinced that this is the country for grapes" and that the grape producer is not the man who is carrying the short end of the string.
 Tn" harvesting of this seasons crop began on Wednesday last when the contingent of pickers commenced gathering the luscious punches which hung in such depths on the vines as to closely resemble draperies. which nature had hung there. fold upon fold.
 The greater portion of the area now devoted to grape culture in and around Mesa, is given to the growing of the variety known as the Thompson Seed less, with the sprinkling of a few other varieties. the most prominent of which is the Muscat grape. Aside from the growth being prolific, the grapes are exceptionally well rounded and full, and the clusters themselves hang in immense punches, great many of them being over two feet in length The valley of the Salt River is pecu- liarly well adapted to the growing of the Thompson Seedless variety, the crop here maturing from two to three weeks earlier than that grown in the far-famed Fresno valley It is a good shipper. and has ready sale on the eastern markets. both because of the fact that it has no competitor and that it is very desirable as a table grape, having no seeds. These are qualities which go for toward giving 1t the properties of a ready money maker for the grower
 Nearly 125 acres are devoted to its culture here at the present time. some of the largest growers being: W. K Bowen. 20 acres; O. W. Tefft, IS acres: Joseph F. Johnson and Frank Open shaw. 16 acres in Thompson Seedless and acres in Muscats; Ed Jones. Is acres; David Reed, ID acres; D. Dud- ley Jones, 10 acres; Joe Williams. 7h acres; Joel Johnson. 10 acres, part in Thompson Seedlcss and several other varieties; and Charles Pew, who has several acres devoted to this industry Besides the foregoing. there are a number of smaller vineyards
 At present there are nearly one hun dred people employed in the vineyards and in the packing sheds, picking. sorting and packing the crates for shipment. The Mesa growers believe in sparing no expense that will give the best and most satisfactory results and consequently have engaged a force of expert packers from the Fres- no district in California. These are overseeing the packing and prcpara- tion of the crop for market.
 It is estimated by conservative grapeman, that the yield this season will be enough to load from eighteen to twenty cars, besides those consum- ed in the local markets. The output is being handled by the H. Woods Distributing company of Chicago, and is under the direct management here of the companys representative, NJ. NJ Cox.
 The raising of grapes as an invest ment, is one which cOmpensates the