The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1921-03-31
CALIFORNIA WILL
RAISE MORE GRAPES
s'THE KICK IN THE RASIN" GRE
ATES UNPRECEDENTED DE-
MAND-PLANT VINES.

VISALIA, Cal.-(By A. P.)-Be-
lief that the 'kick" in the raisin is re-
sponsible, directly or indirectly, for
the unprecedented rush to plant raisin
grapes in the San Jouquit Valley this
summer has been expressed by
Charles F. Collins, horticultural COM
missioner. "Unquestionably, home
brew has entered into the problem, y
he said.
Thousands of acres of orchards are
being torn out and cattle lands cut up
to make room for grapes. In the en-
tire valley it is estimated there will
be growing this summer 25,000,000
grape roots on a total acreage of
more than 100000. Ninety-five per
cent of paintings to heretofore un-
cultivated lands are to vines.
Millionaires, not given to consider
alton of prohibitions unquestioned
stimulant to the industry, are report
ed planting vineyards of from 500 to
5000 acres, big companies have been
formed to develop new territory and
old companies are turning their pro-
fits back into more vines.
Mr.. Collins, however, credits the
organization of the California AS
sociated Raisin Company, a growers
cooperative organization for a big
portion of the increase in raisin
growing. The association, he said,
has held up the market to a point
where growers have become conf
dent of financial success. The "home
brew" feature has strengthened the
market.
Some growers have gone hog
Wild over grapes" Mr.. Collins said,
"but business men VINO know real
conditions are banking their fortunes
in vines, believe, simply because the
is on the firmest foundation
Of any in California.
ri do not believe the raisin market |
will ever be flooded, and I believe
The associated company would be able |
20 sell all it's product if every acre of
California was planted in vines"
Asked about wine grapes, Mr.. Col
ms said there were hundreds of acres
going in. Personally, I fail to un
lerstand the reasoning behind this
lnless growers actually believe pro-
libitian is to fail"
Nearly rs per cent of the table
grown in Tulare county last
year, Mr.. Collins continued, were sold
or wine purposes, bringing more
money for wine making than for
able grapes. He expects similar
conditions to exist this year.
IT do not believe we need worry
,ver the kick in the raisin," declared
District Attorney Fred G. Scott, of
rulare county, himself farmer. |
now that is one of the chief causes
or this heavy planting of raisin
but despite the fact that pro-
ibition is not prohibiting as yet, con-
itions are better than they were be-
ore, nor do I believe the raisin win
reate any unusual difficulty. A lit
le home brew with a raisin to help '
out will not be as bad as conditions {
we're with the open saloon" I
Many experienced farmers, how
yer, dispute the statement that hun
reds of acres of fine citrus orchards s
re being torn out to be replaced by {
rapes, merely because of the high ]
rices raisins are bringing. Most of
MS acreage, they say, had to come S
ut anyway because too enthusiastic
itrus growers planted their trees too
ar away from sheltered hillside Y
owes. and now find it necessary to {
nange to a more profitable crop. t
aturally, they have taken on raisins. 6