Fresno County, CA History Transcribed by Sally Kaleta This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to their own work. SOURCE: Memorial and Biographical History of the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, California - Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892 SPECIAL INTERESTS Certain specialties, touched upon in foregoing pages, probably deserve a mention of further details. THE COLONY SYSTEM The most prominent feature of Fresno County and the one to which has contributed most largely to her wealth and prosperity is the colony system of settlement. These colonies surround the city of Fresno in every direction, and have so grown into each other that there are no lines of distinction, the boundaries of each being now wholly imaginary. The whole country has grown into one solid mass of settlements, of five, ten, and twenty-acre lots, on which the owners are not only making a comfortable living, but many of them are annually laying up what an eastern farmer would consider a little fortune. Such an volume as this would not be complete without some notice of these large adjuncts to the upbuilding of the country. The following account of them, written for the San Francisco Chronicle by its agricultural editor, George F. Weeks, is therefore republished here, as from an unbiased source and one thoroughly competent to speak of them intelligently: THE CENTRAL COLONY. The first one settled, says Mr. Weeks, was the Central, which was laid out by W. S. Chapman, in 1874, water being supplied by the Fresno canal from King's river. Six sections of land a short distance southwest of the city of Fresno was laid out and sold in small tracts, twenty acres being the average. At first there was a great deal of ignorance as to the desirability and adaptability of many varieties of fruit, and much experiment, some of it of a costly character, had to be undertaken. But the experience has been valuable, and now the principal production of the colony is raisins, though large quantities of other fruits, as well as alfalfa, etc., are produced. The entire colony is under cultivation, and the settlers are, without any exception, in the enjoyment of prosperity. The avenues that were laid out on section lines are broad and well-shaded, while the homes of the colonists are both handsome and comfortable. Being the oldest of the colonies, this may be taken as a type of all, and visitors are brought hither to see for themselves of what this region is capable. When the central colony was first laid out a number of San Franciscans, under the leadership of Bernard Marks, of the Lincoln School, settled here, and the success achieved by one of them, Miss Austin, is one of the historical features of the county. T. C. White was another Central colony settler who has been remarkably successful, and whose fine property is frequently visited and admired. His raisins have a wide reputation, and have made him wealthy. The Central colony affords a fair contrast between the wheat-growing and horticultural era of the State's history. Before the colony settled here wheat was grown on the land and yielded an annual return of not more than $35,000 from the entire six sections, while only one family made its home here. Now the same land yields an annual cash return of $300,000 to $400,000, while 150 families have comfortable, happy homes, and many have realized a competence. A stronger contrast could not well be presented. Malaga Colony. East of Central colony is Malaga colony, which was established by the pioneer raisin grower of the state, G. G. Briggs, to whose enterprise is due the introduction of an industry into Fresno County, which at present overshadows all others, viz: the production of raisins. There are ten sections of land included in the Malaga, and some 250 families occupy the land, mostly in twenty-acre tracts. Some have more, but twenty acres is enough for any ordinary family, and is, indeed, all that can be prudently cared for. The Other Colonies. South of Malaga is the Washington colony of 7,400 acres, and of the best developed of the settlements in the valley. There are over 300 families settled here, and the value of the products of these small farms is upward of $500,000 annually. This is among the most noted of the Fresno colonies, and the handsome houses of the settlers, with their beautiful and attractive surroundings, testify to the prosperity that has attended the intensive system of cultivation practiced. West of the Washington is the American colony, comprising 3,840 acres. There are 200 families or more on this tract, which is provided with abundance of water from the Fresno canal. Each year over $300,000 worth of fruit, alfalfa, butter, eggs, etc., is produced here, a fact which warrants the assertion that the settlers are uniformly prosperous. East of the Fresno are the Morris, the Pacific, the Church, the Nevada, the Scandinavian, the Walters, and other colonies, covering thousands of acres of land and are settled, like the others, in tracts averaging twenty acres to the family. Some Notable Vineyards. The largest bearing raisin vineyard in the State is that of A. B. Butler, a short distance from the Barton property. There are over 600 acres in the vineyard, and the annual product two years ago was 110,000 twenty-pound boxes. This year it cannot be far from 50 per cent greater, even if it be not nearly 100 per cent higher. With Fresno raisins averaging $1.75 to $2.25 a box, one can readily estimate the immense income from this vineyard. In the same neighborhood is the splendid 160-acre property of Colonel William Forsyth, which is a typical raisin-producing enterprise in every detail. There are about 145 acres in Muscat vines on this place, and the owner bestows his personal attention upon every detail. The utmost care is taken in pruning, cultivation, and care of the vines, while in handling the fruit and packing the raisins nothing is left undone that could tend to enhance the quality or appearance. The grapes are assorted as to the size and quality when first gathered, and are subsequently graded and packed in such a manner as to command the highest prices. The product is upward of 40,000 boxes of twenty pounds each, while the reputation of the pack of this vineyard is so high that the output is always engaged beforehand at top prices. One of the features of this vineyard is a drying-house constructed upon plans evolved by Mr. Forsyth himself. By it all danger of damage from rain is absolutely prevented, and the secured crop is prepared for market without loss. This dry-house is an immense affair but the heat is regulated so carefully that no one but the best posted expert can detect the difference between the raisins so cured and those dried in the open air. There is not a difference in reality of half a cent a pound, so that all the assertions of would-be authorities upon this matter are thus disproved in the best manner. In the neighborhood are many other noteworthy places, including the Malters vineyard, the Denicke fig orchard and hundreds of other improved and profitable small and large farms. For the remarkable vineyard of George H. Eggers, see biographical sketch. The West Side Colonies West and northwest of the city of Fresno are a number of enterprises which are worthy of notice. Among these are the Bank of California colony, the Union colony, the Sierra Park colony, the Witham, the Houghton, the Mead and the Perrin colonies and the Fruitvale estate. This latter is especially prominent because of the introduction here of a novel method of planting vineyards and orchards, introduced by a well-known San Francisco House, the A. R. Briggs Company. The idea has been to induce the people to purchase small tracts and to improve it for them in their absence, with the design of turning over possession to settlers when the vines and trees shall have become income-paying. The writer paid a visit to this portion of the county recently and was struck with the immense area that had been planted with vines during the past year, as well as with the remarkable growth shown in many cases. There are at present nearly a thousand acres of young vines growing, practically in one body, though subdivided under such attractive names as the Avellane, the Nestell, Climax, La Favorita, Paragon, Poca Rica, etc. The adaptability of this locality to the vine is shown by the fact that less than 1 per cent of the vines have failed to grow, while in one case (the La Favorita) every vine planted is thrifty and luxuriant. Though only set out last spring many of these vines have borne fruit already. Preparations are already under way to plant nearly three thousand acres more this winter, of which 1,280 acres will be in one body, the Fruitvale vineyard, which will be the largest single raisin vineyard in the State, and probably in the world. A good feature of those enterprises is that the purchasers are largely eastern people, who have been induced to invest here by the remarkable showing made by the older colonies. They are given every inducement of long time to pay for their lands, while the cost of preparing, planting and cultivating the vineyard is put at the lowest possible terms. It is estimated that the entire outlay involved in taking the raw land and converting it into a paying vineyard will not exceed $75 an acre. An admirable feature of these enterprises is the planting of white Adriatic fig trees along all the avenues and about the subdivisions. This has been done in many of the older colonies, and is both picturesque and profitable. This fig produces immense crops of fine fruit and makes an admirable shade tree, as well as a dust and wind break. Fresno's Great Avenue Leading from the city of Fresno westward is a magnificently laid out drive called the Chatean Fresno avenue. It has three distinctive driveways, separated and bordered by palms, magnolias and other trees, and in the course of half a dozen years will become one of the most attractive bits of road in the State, rivaling the Alameda of San Jose and Magnolia avenue at Riverside. As one passes over this drive and through these vineyards, whose growth of but six months almost covers the ground from sight, it seems impossible to realize that these lands, bought less than twenty years ago for a dollar or two an acre, are now selling readily for $150 to $250 an acre, yet such is the fact: and by the roadside here as elsewhere in the county one sees the reason for this immense appreciation in values - bright streams of water conveying life to the erstwhile parched desert. And at the railroad stations one readily sees why such prices are justified, for there are solid trains by the dozen, yes, by hundreds, going out laden with the product of tree and vine. Over 1,200 cars were required to move the raisin crop of Fresno County alone this year, while the other products filled hundreds more. Besides the colonies immediately contiguous to Fresno City there are many others in different portions of the county, all with various degrees of attractiveness. In those that are more remote from the centers of population and from the railroad the land is still offered at very moderate prices, so that no one need go away deterred from buying by what he may fancy are high figures. There are lands that can even be had without any cash payment, and upon which any man of enterprise and energy can achieve a competence. Farming Pays in Fresno In 1890, George Boyd sold a twenty-acre tract in the Washington colony to H. F. Smith, of Oakland, for $5,500. This fruit farm in 1889 yielded $2,000, and for the last year it paid over $3,000. Thus the purchaser is almost certain to receive back in products, the first year of his possession, more than one-half of the purchase money, which would indicate that it was a very good investment, as it is, indeed. The question naturally arises, "Why did Mr. Boyd sell?" Persons not familiar with the state of affairs here will be unable to see why Mr. Boyd should sell a property that yields him $3,000 for $5,000 or sell it at all. It was interesting to me, and it may be so to others, to hear Mr. Boyd speak on the subject himself. "I came here six years ago from old Ireland," he said. "When I landed in Fresno my capital all told was $1,300 and a wife, who is better than all the capital any man can have. After I had been here a few days I bought this twenty acres and built the house and barn. My lumber barn was $450; most of the labor I did myself. "With the balance of my capital I purchased horses and farm implements and made the first payment on my land. I have now on this twenty acres sixteen acres of raisin vines, the oldest of which realized me last year $170 an acre. "My wife, with her cows and chickens, always adds from $15 to $25 a month to our income, according to the number of cows we have in milk. "We have invested our savings in a second twenty-acre lot in the new colony, and I have got it all planted to raisin vines. I calculate that I shall this year have an income from my two farms of $4,000 over and above my expenses for harvesting. For the first five years I did nearly all the work myself. And here I want to say, let no man with a small capital come to Fresno expecting to make money unless he is prepared to work. The land is so rich that if it is not constantly plowed and cultivated it brings forth weeds, and weeds and fruit never grow together. Now, I hire the greater part of my work done and content myself with superintending and seeing it done properly. "Happy? he asked. "Why, certainly; satisfied, yes; but I will sell both farms and buy 160 acres. I will then have enough capital to enable me to hire all the hard work to be done for me; and you know the profit on 160 acres at $170 an acre is enough to make an Irishman satisfied." This man had two tracts of twenty acres each, which he acquired in six years, on a capital of $1,300. He wants to own a quarter section. The sale of the smaller sections enables him to do this. Five years hence Mr. Boyd will have an income of $20,000 from his 160 acres instead of the $3,000 from the twenty acres which he sold to Mr. Smith. The Wine Product There are several extensive wine-growers in the county who have established a reputation for the excellent qualities of sweet wines, while the dry wines average with the productions of other portions of the state. The Sonoma and Los Angeles brands still retain popularity from the fact that they have been longer in the market, but the Fresno manufacturers are winning there way into the markets of the world as time moves on. At present the industry in this county is in a flourishing condition, and owing to the peculiarities of the climate in imparting the saccharine ingredient her sweet wines are not excelled in any locality in the state. The ports, angelicas and sherries manufactured in Fresno County are favorites wherever found, and there is a steady increase in quantity as the vines grow older and the producers become more accustomed to the qualities of the grape. There has been a good demand for Fresno wines during the year 1890, and the prices realized have made the industry profitable. On account of a large per cent of the grape product of 1890 being dried to meet the demand for dried fruit in the east the wine product was not increased over that of 1889, and the home market absorbed so largely that shipments east have not been very large. The shipments from Fresno County for 1890 were as follows: From Fresno, 254 carloads of 10,668 barrels, or 533,400 gallons; from Madera, twenty-five barrels, or 1,250 gallons, making a total of 10,693 barrels, or 534,650 gallons, valued at about $135,000. Of these shipments thirty-five carloads went to the Eastern markets, the balance finding a ready sale in the local markets of the State, which is a compliment to the Fresno wine-growers. Estimating from these figures, the vintage of 1890 for Fresno County was not less than 40,000 barrels, or 2,500,000 gallons. This produces an enormous revenue to the wine-growers, and is no small item in the aggregate wealth of the products of Fresno County. Raisins The shipment of raisins during 1890 were distributed among the various points in the county as follows: Fresno..........................................................15,430,313 pounds Kingsburg...................................................... 67,945 Madera.......................................................... 112,710 Borden.......................................................... 73,226 Malaga......................................................... 3,459,240 Fowler.......................................................... 2,178,438 Selma.......................................................... 469,746 __________________ Total............. 21,791,618 It will be observed that more than two-thirds of the raisins of the county were shipped from Fresno city, the largest packing houses being located here. As a matter of interest the shipments of fruits and its products from the Fresno station may be here given in detail: Local shipments of raisins, dried grapes, fruit and wine during 1890: Raisins, 506,240 pounds, 22,010 twenty-pound boxes, or 22 carloads. Dried grapes, 57,272 pounds, 881 sacks, or 3 carloads. Dried fruits, 268,185 pounds, or 13 carloads of 20,000 pounds. Green fruit, 748,008 pounds, or 37 carloads. Wine, 35 carloads, 1,470 barrels, or 459,900 gallons. Raisin, fruit and wine shipments East from Fresno during 1890: Raisins - 14,924,073 pounds, 663,200 twenty-pound boxes, or 663 carloads. Dried grapes - 3, 253,891 pounds, 50,060 sacks, or 166 carloads. Dried fruits - 1,401,836 pounds, or 70 carloads of 20,000 pounds. Green fruit - 2,899,940 pounds, or 140 carloads. Wine - 35 carloads, 1,470 barrels or 73,500 gallons. The total shipments, local and Eastern, are as follows: Total raisins - 15,430,313 pounds, 685,300 20-pound boxes, or 685 carloads. Total dried grapes - 3,311,163 pounds, 50,041 sacks, or 169 carloads. Total green fruit - 3,647.948 pounds, or 177 carloads. Total wine - 254 carloads, 10,668 barrels, or 533,400 gallons. It will thus be seen that of fruit and its products there were shipped from the Fresno station 1,368 carloads, a business for which all the railroads of the country annually struggle. Early History of Fresno Raisins. - The raisin industry in California is not yet twenty years old. There is some dispute as to when the first raisin grapes were brought to Fresno, but by general consent the honor is accorded to F. F. Eisen, and the time fixed upon as 1873. In the fall of that year the Muscat vines were brought to this raisin district by Mr. Eisen and successfully set out in his vineyard. A few years later, or in 1876, W. S. Chapman imported the best Muscatels from Spain for the Central California colony at this point. About the same time T. C. White planted the Rasina vineyard in that colony from Gordo Blanco Muscatels brought from R. B. Blower's vineyard at Woodland. Dr. Gustav Eisen, in his splendid book, "The Raisin Industry," carefully traces the history of the raisin industry, and from it many of the facts here stated are derived. He says that in 1877-'78 Miss M. F. Austin began improving her Hedgerow vineyard, also in the Central colony, with Gordo Blanco Muscatels. Robert Barton had also planted some twenty-five acres of Muscat grapes, but did not make raisins until later. In 1879 the A. B. Butler vineyard, now the largest in the State, was planted. J. T. Goodman had begun to improve his place about the same time, and Colonel William Forsyth entered upon raisin-grape growing between 1881 and 1882, most of his grapes, however, being planted a year or two later. Since that time the raisin vineyards have multiplied rapidly and about 1866 the raisin production became recognized as the principal industry of the district. It rapidly spread from the original center around Fresno, the county generally being splendidly adapted, by reason of the freedom from rain and the improved facilities for irrigation, to the growing and curing of raisin grapes. Indeed, nearly the whole of the San Joaquin valley is adapted to raisin culture, but the southern portion especially, because it is drier and there is less rainfall in the autumn of the year, both conditions favorable to the curing of the raisins. The vineyards are now located chiefly about Fresno, but more than 10,000 acres will be set out in other sections of the county this winter. The Raisin Grape Acreage. - This district contains about 50,000 acres, of which about 23,000 acres are in bearing, though not all in raisin grapes. From a list prepared by George W. Smith for the State Viticultural Commission, it is learned that there are more than 1,600 vineyards in Fresno County. The present increase is especially heavy, vines being put out in vineyards ranging from five to 1,200 acres and more, and they are distributed all over the county. The sections about Malaga, Sanger, Selma, Fowler, Borden, Madera and other points are growing into decided prominence. The varieties of grapes used are principally the Gordo Blanco Muscatels, much mixed with the Muscat of Alexandria. There are also some Sultanas and White Corinths, and of late many malagas have been planted. The Vineyard. - The vines are now generally planted at a distance of ten by ten though some are planted ten by twelve, twelve by twelve and eight by ten. The vines begin to bear the second year and begin to pay the third year, and thereafter yield an income. Some vines pay well in the third year, as will be seen by the experience of vine-growers published elsewhere. Both cuttings and rooted vines are used. The ground is plowed in various ways, in the winter time, according to the ideas of the owner. Cross-plowing is sometimes practiced. The general rule is to first plow one way, and then to cross-cultivate repeatedly until the soil is level and the weeds are destroyed. The heads of the vines are kept low, from six to sixteen inches above the ground. The canes are cut to two or three eyes, and the number of canes left vary from five to fifteen or more. The pruning is done between December and February. The grapes begin to ripen in the middle of August and will continue to the 1st of September. At the latter date the first boxes of cured and packed raisins are heralded to the country. The first grapes dry in from seven to ten days, but the later grapes require three weeks or more. The drying continues through September, and for the second crop through October and even in November, and in 1890 even into December, the rains not having set in. The grapes are dried on trays measuring two by three or three by three feet. The sweat boxes are generally two by three feet, and from six to eight inches high. When packed the product is labeled, each packing house having its own favorite brands, which is fully explained in a descriptive article on the packing of raisins in this work. The prevailing price for raisins the past season was 51/2 to 6 cents per pound in the sweat boxes. From 100 to 250 boxes of raisins are realized per acre, and the profits vary from $75 to $300 per acre, according to location, soil, management, and other conditions. The cost of production varies from $30 to $50 an acre. Good land for raisin purposes can be had for $100 per acre, but nearer the city the land is held higher. Bearing vineyards change hands at varying prices, some having sold for $1,000 an acre. Soils and Climate. - In the Fresno district there are several different varieties of soils good for grapes, - the red or chocolate-colored sandy loam principally east of the railroad, and the very sandy soil, generally occurring in elevated ridges; we have also the deep, gray-colored bottom land in the river bottoms or along the rivers and creeks. The best grades of the chocolate and reddish loams, and of the river bottom soil, are considered the best for raisins. The very sandy soil and the alkali soil should not be used for raisin purposes. The climate is warm and dry during the summer, while the winters are not very rainy. From seven to ten inches of rain are an average in Fresno. In no portion of the raisin-producing portion of the valley can raisin grapes be grown without irrigation a system which is fully explained in another portion of this volume. Before irrigation was begun in the Fresno district the natural water levels were under from fifty to sixty feet of dry soil. A few years of constant irrigation has so changed this that now in places the land is sub-irrigated or moist to the surface, while in places the soil has to be drained, and no other irrigation is now needed except to allow the water to flow in the main or secondary canals, from which it seeps and keeps the soil filled with water, the moisture rising from below. The irrigation when practiced is done by flooding or by irrigating in furrows. The climate has everything to do with the production of the best raisins. The inland valleys of this State are the most successful. The San Joaquin valley is more than 100 miles from the coast, and the sea wind, before it reaches any of the vines, has been modified by passing over from 200 to 300 miles of dry country. Dr. Eisen, in his excellent work on "The Raisin Industry," gives the following as the condition of an ideal climate for the production of the grape: "A moderately dry air, a frostless spring, a rainy winter and rainless autumn. The temperature in the summer should vary between 90 and 100 degrees, the fall months should now and then be visited by drying winds, while the winter frosts should be heavy and regular, but not below 12 degrees. Some have suggested that absolute freedom from any rain would be very desirable, as then no interference would be experienced with the cultivation of grapes; but I doubt if the soil in such districts would not be rapidly exhausted through the want of weeds, the plowing under of which enriches the ground and enables it better to preserve the moisture provided for it by irrigation." The Fresno district fills these conditions as nearly as they may be found on this whimsical earth. Many facts in relation with the culture of raisins will be found under the general article on irrigation in the county, and on the great industry of packing raisins. Those who want full and detailed information on the whole subject should get a technical work. How to Grow, Pick, Dry and Pack Raisin Grapes. - Following is a very instructive paper on raisin growing , drying, packing and preparing for market, written by Mr. T. C. White, County Supervisor and one of the most successful raisin-growers in Fresno County, which means in the State. That part of the article relating to picking, drying and packing was written for and read before the State Board of Viticulture, and its excellence was recognized by a prize being bestowed upon the author. The part pertaining to planting and the care of the vines was written especially for the Expositor. While Mr. White's methods for packing are not generally followed, there can be no doubt that if this were the case the quality of the pack would be improved. More care is being taken year after year, however, and the time will soon come when improvement in this direction will be almost impossible. No one is better fitted than Mr. White to write on the subject, and having attained extraordinary success by following the advice he here gives others, that is no reason why others should not benefit likewise by it. Mr. White's Methods. - "Thirteen years ago I was among those seeking knowledge, and found a most efficient teacher in R. B. Blowers, Esq., of Yolo County, who kindly gave me the benefit of his experience in the then comparatively new field of raisin-grape culture. "The success achieved in the past few years has outgrown a local interest, and is now attracting a world-wide attention. The following table shows the growth of the industry: Boxes of 20 lbs. each 1873.......................................................6,000 1874.......................................................9,000 1875.....................................................11,000 1876.....................................................19,000 1877......................................................32,000 1878......................................................48,000 1879......................................................64,000 1880......................................................75,000 1881......................................................90,000 1882....................................................115,000 1883....................................................140,000 1884....................................................175,000 1885....................................................500,000 1886....................................................703,000 1887....................................................800,000 1888....................................................963,000 1889..................................................1,050,000 "It has been demonstrated beyond question that the soil and climate of portions of this State will produce a grape equal in size and quality to those of the most favored districts of Europe. Permit me to make a few general remarks in reference to the soil, climate, culture and varieties to be grown and the best manner to pick, dry, sort, and pack raisins for market. In geographical distribution the yield is divided between the great San Joaquin valley and Southern California. No raisins are produced in any quantity outside of these two regions. Fresno County alone produces more than the balance of the State combined. While I have visited the raisin-producing sections of the State, north and south, my remarks are based upon the experience gained during the last few years in Fresno, in the San Joaquin Valley. "The following requisites are indispensable to the successful production of good raisins: Soil, climate, and methods of packing and curing. First, a selection of location with reference to soil. This, in my judgment, is either the white ash or the red, sandy loam. If your 'lines be cast' in the San Joaquin Valley, which I believe to be the best for the industry, be certain to obtain land which can be conveniently irrigated. My choice would be white ash, if not too strongly impregnated with alkali. "Much has been said and volumes written in reference to the best methods to be employed in the preparation of the soil, the proper distances apart, manner of pruning and training of vines, etc., but no fixed rule as yet has been established. The preparation of the soil depends largely upon the method to be used in irrigation. If the soil is sub-irrigated so as not to require surface irrigation, and the ground is naturally level (as in most cases our best soils are), all that is necessary is to plow the land eight to ten inches deep, harrow it down finely, when it is ready to plant. If the land to be planted is not sufficiently sub-irrigated, so as to necessitate flooding, it has been found best to level the land to a water level, in checks or squares of one-half to one acre each, providing at the same time a system of ditches throughout the entire tract. The land thus prepared can be flooded, and the cost of irrigation is much less than when the land is not leveled. "As to the best distance apart, something depends upon the kind and strength of the soil. Most vineyards are planted eight by eight. Many, however, are planted differently, to-wit: Eight by ten, ten by ten, ten by twelve, eight by sixteen, six by twelve, etc., etc. In my opinion the last named distance is the best, planting the rows running north and south six feet apart, and the rows running east and west twelve feet apart. "The vines should be trained low and pruned short, and great care and judgment should be exercised in this matter, so as to have the vines balanced, not having more spurs on one side than the other, and also having top spurs with a view growing wood for shade. Another important consideration is the removal of all suckers and non-fruit-producing growth, to avoid the diversion of the strength and vigor of the vine from the fruit and growth of wood for the succeeding year. The vineyard should be plowed and cross-plowed as soon as the vegetation starts in the spring, and cultivated thereafter continuously until prevented by the growth of the vines. "Couleur, or blasting or dropping of the bloom, is probably caused by sudden changes of temperature, strong winds and excessive moisture. When caused by the latter it can be largely overcome by the application of sulphur. As vines become older I think they are less susceptible to climatic influences. Irrigation at the blooming period should be avoided, and until the berry is well set. If summer irrigation is necessary it should be done by means of furrows, through which the water is run. Plowing in these furrows will prevent the cracking and drying out of the lands. In Fresno packing commences about the first of September, although there have been seasons when it occurred as early as the twelfth of August. "The grapes under no circumstance should be picked for raisins until they are ripe. There are three ways by which to ascertain this fact: First, by the color, which should be a light amber; second, by the taste and third, by the saccharometer, which is by far the most accurate. A grape may be ripe and not have the proper color when grown entirely in the shade. The juice of the grape should contain at least 25 per cent of saccharine to produce a good raisin. "The most practical method of drying is by the use of trays placed upon the ground. The almost entire absence of dew in our locality greatly facilitates this method. The trays are usually twenty-four by thirty-six inches. Those of large dimensions are found inconvenient to handle when filled. Trays of the former size hold about twenty pounds of fruit, and should produce from six to seven pounds of raisins. The product of a vineyard depends largely upon its age and favorable conditions, varying from two to nine tons per acre. "The trays or platforms are taken into the field and distributed along the sides of the roads, from which they are taken by the pickers when needed. As the grapes are picked from the vines all imperfect berries, sticks and dead leaves are removed from the bunches, which are then placed upon the trays, right side up. A cluster has what is called a right and a wrong side, the wrong side having more of the stems exposed than the right side. Great care should be used in picking, so as to handle the bunches only by the stem. If the berries come in contact with the hands some of the bloom will be removed, which will injure the appearance of the raisin. The trays are placed, after filling, between the vines, one end being elevated so that the grapes may receive the more direct rays of the sun. "The length of time required depends much upon location and conditions, favorable or otherwise. I have known raisins to be dried in seven days, but they were not a good article, and too rapid drying is not desirable. The grapes are left upon the trays until about two-thirds dry, which, with us, will be from six to eight days. They are then turned. This is accomplished by placing an empty tray on top of the one filled with partially dried raisins and turning them together. Then take off the upper or original tray and you have the raisins turned without handling or damage. After turning curing will proceed more rapidly, and frequently is accomplished in four or five days. "During this time they should be carefully watched to prevent any from becoming too dry. When it is found they are dry enough the trays are gathered and stacked one upon the other as high as convenient for the sorting which follows. This protects them from the sun and prevents overdrying. Stacking should be attended to early in the morning, when the stems and berries are slightly moist and cool from the night air, as they will retain this moisture after being transferred to the sweat boxes and assist in quickening the sweating process. The trays which have been stacked are now ready for sorting and grading, and this requires care and judgment, and although a tedious process greatly facilitates rapid packing. "The sweat box is a little larger than the tray about eight inches deep. When filled these will contain about 125 pounds of raisins. Heavy manilla paper is used in the boxes, one being placed in the bottom and three or four more at equal distances, as the filling progresses. The object of the paper is to prevent the tangling of the stems and consequently breaking of the bunches when removed for packing. "The sorters have three sweat boxes, one for the first, second and third qualities as the grade will justify. The bunches should be handled by the stem and placed carefully in the sweat boxes to avoid breaking the stems, thereby destroying the symmetry of the clusters. Any found to be damp are returned to the trays and left a day or two longer in the sun. To ascertain if they are perfectly cured place a raisin between the thumb and forefinger and roll it gently until softened, when either jelly or water will exude from the stem end. If water, it requires further drying. When the boxes are filled they are taken to the equalizer. This should be built of brick or adobe and as nearly air-tight as possible, but provided with windows to allow ventilation when necessary. The windows should have shutters to keep it dark. The filled boxes are placed one exactly upon another to a convenient height, and should remain from ten to twenty days or more, when they will have passed through the sweating process. "As the raisins are taken off the trays some of the berries on the bunches will be dry enough and a few will not be sufficiently cured. To remove the moist ones would destroy the appearance of the cluster, and to leave it out longer would shrivel the dry ones: hence, the sweat box. The moisture is diffused through the box, some being absorbed by the dry raisins: and the stems also take their share and are thus rendered tough and pliable and easily manipulated when ready for packing. "When the raisins are sufficiently equalized the sweat boxes are removed to the packing room, which is provided with tables, presses, scales, etc. "My method of packing is substantially the Blowers style - face downward. The most convenient mode of packing is by the use of a metal tray, corresponding in size to a layer of raisins, and having a loose bottom. The raisins are placed in the preliminary packing tray with the face of the cluster downward, which gives the surface a level appearance and prevents the exposure of the stems. When the bottom of the packing tray has been covered, which should always be with perfectly shaped berries and bunches, the tray is filled to the requisite weight of five pounds. The contents of the tray are then pressed sufficiently to pack the raisins firmly together, but not with such force as to break the skin, causing the jelly to exude and consequently easily sugaring. "After being pressed they are transferred to the boxes, during which process the paper is wrapped around each layer. The paper is placed on top of the tray of raisins and a sheet of steel exactly the width of the tray is placed above the paper and the whole reversed. The sheet of steel serves to hold the raisins in place until the layer is put into the box, when the steel is withdrawn and the layer drops into the box face up. The standard box of California raisins is twenty pounds in weight, containing four layers of five pounds each. They are usually graded into Dehesa and London layers, and one, two and three crown loose Muscatels. The Dehesa, or highest grade, is packed with a view to superseding the imported article, which sells at from $10 to $12 a box. Everyone has seen and admired the boxes of imported raisins, which have a top layer packed in rows, with uniform regularity; few, however, appreciate the difficulty of producing the handsome appearance by hand. The task is slow and tedious. "To simplify and expedite the process I have invented and received letters patent for a packing plate expressly adapted to producing this effect. This device will prove of great assistance it the raisin packer. I have used it two seasons with perfect success. The invention consists of a flat metal mold or plate having depressions made in its surface, which plate forms the bottom of the preliminary packing box and serves to hold the raisins in a fixed position until the packing is completed and the raisins are placed in the raisin box. "Loose Muscatels are prepared by being put through the stemmer and grader. The stemmer removes the berries from the stem, and the grader, by separating according to size, determines the grade. "By observing the foregoing remarks you will naturally conclude that the raisin business is eminently made up of details. None can be carelessly performed or overlooked if we expect to compete successfully with the nations who have made the subject and industry a study for centuries. Not only in the essentials of quality and quantity but in this esthetic age a due regard to effect must be observed in the way of attractive wrappers and labels." Three-year-old Vines.- It is sometimes difficult to make people believe what returns raisin lands yield their owners. The Caledonia vineyard, for instance, which is located only two miles from the city of Fresno, consists of 118 acres, and was planted in 1888. This year it yielded to its owners, Messrs. Alexander Gordon and Arch Grant, the sum of $13, 962.25, which amount would have been swelled to $16,000, but for the unexpected rains in September. The average yield per acre was, nevertheless, $118.32, not bad for three-year-old vines. State of California, County of Fresno. We, Alexander Gordon and Arch Grant, being duly sworn, depose and say that the Caledonia vineyard owned by us, situated about two miles southeast of Fresno city, has produced the present year the sum of $12,660 worth of raisins and 113 tons of grapes which were sold to the winery for the sum of $1,302.25 making in all a total of $13,962.25. Said crop was gathered from 118 acres of vineyard, of the Muscat variety, and was planted in February and March, 1888. Besides the above amount, we estimate our loss by rains of October 1, 1890, at over $2,500. The most of this loss would have been averted could we have got drying trays, or had dry-house facilities at hand. The average per acre being $118.32. Alex. Gordon, Arch Grant. [SEAL] Subscribed and sworn before me this 10th day of December, 1890. F. M. CHITTENDEN, Notary Public Malter's Vineyard. - The Malter vineyard, three miles east of Fresno, consists of 240 acres in grapes with two other small tracts. One hundred and sixty acres were planted to grapes in 1880, and eighty acres to raisin grapes in 1887. G. H. Malter, the owner, thinks it is probably the most productive vineyard in the world. The 160 acres of wine grapes began bearing in 1887. The crop has been steadily increasing since it first came into bearing, until it footed up over eleven tons to the acre in 1890. The raisin grapes are just beginning to produce. The pruning in this vineyard differs somewhat from that in other vineyards. Mr. Malter's plan with his vines, even Muscats, is to stake them. In pruning, the stems are gradually moved upward from year to year, so that the vines may attain their full development and bearing power. By this method the disease known as block knot, which is so prevalent in vineyards where vines are low-pruned, is entirely prevented, as the sap in the spring of the year finds sufficient outlet in the greater number of buds and is not forced to burst through the bark of the trunk. Mr. Malter's experience proves to his satisfaction that the Muscat variety actually bears quite as large a berry when they are cut low. When thus staked it produces a large amount of fruit that all matures at one time, there being no second crop. One four-year-old row of staked Muscats produced this year $650 worth of raisins. These staked vines produced seventy-five pounds of grapes to the vine. Timber and Stone In a county as large as Fresno, larger than many Eastern States, stretching from the summit of the Coast Range across the wide San Joaquin valley and up the vast slopes to the summit of the Sierra, Nevadas, it cannot be expected that the dwellers on her plains, engrossed as their minds are in that industry for which she is famous the world-over - that of raisin and fruit-growing - should realize the vast extent of her natural resources, still undeveloped. The first habitations of man in this county were the brush-thatched huts of the Indians. Then the sheepherder came with his flocks and tents. Then the miners built their rude log huts. Then followed the pioneer of the plains and the rough-boarded, shake-roofed shanty, and with the advent of the railroad came the rustic box-house of the early towns, which, as they grew, called forth the better class of frame dwellings. Then came the plain brick building blocks, and finally the elegant business blocks of the present Fresno. But up to the present time there is not a building of the better class in the county built entirely of material produced in this county. In a frame house you will find the rafters, studding and floors from Puget Sound, the wainscoting, rustic and shingles from Mendocino, the doors and sash from Shasta, the plaster from Santa Cruz; and in a brick structure, pressed brick and sandstone trimmings come from Santa Clara, lime from Tehachapi, slates from El Dorado, and timbers from Puget Sound. Yet all of these materials can be found within a radius of fifty miles from Fresno city. The reason for this failure to utilize home products may be found when it is said that there are but two places in the county where the railway line reach into the foothills. Within the borders of this county may be found everything necessary in raw material for the construction of a first-class building, and as the people of the valley are bound to be a very wealthy community, owing to the great value and certainty of their crops and will want houses to correspond with their circumstances it will be of interest to them to know what there is in the line of building materials nearby. These are here briefly described some of the more important ones. Among the timber trees, as in the vegetable kingdom of the earth, the Sequoia gigantea ranks first. As very little of this timber had reached the markets prior to the competition of the King's River Lumber Company's flume, its merits have not been known. It is lighter in color and weight than the coast redwood, contains no hard grain, and as it is free from the acid that darkens the coast redwood it retains its color when finished in oil. It is an excellent timber for the whole of any house, except the floors and timbers, for which the yellow pine is better suited, being firm and even grained. The sugar pine, which is well-known as the most valuable pine in California, is a fine-grained, soft, white, wood, especially adapted to use in casings, doors, sash, etc. Besides these there are the white cedar, a beautiful wood for finishing in oil, the fir, valuable for timber, the red oak, which makes an elegant hardwood finish, the red cedar and aberdeen pine, being still beyond the reach of the mills, but little is known of their qualities as timber trees. The valley oaks and mountain oaks are not valuable for timber, as they are too porous and crossgrained. The amount of timber in this county is almost beyond human conception, extending in a broad belt over twenty-five miles wide and sixty miles in length, or 1,500 square miles. This vast area, at an average of 8,000 feet per acre, contains 9,600,000,000 feet of lumber; and when it is considered that there are many single acres that contain a 1,000,000 feet, it will be seen that the average is by no means high. Its value at $10 per thousand would be $96,000,000. Fresno County is especially rich in good building stone. The granite, the rock of which the most of the Sierra Nevada range is composed, is to be found in all shades and textures, the Raymond quarries producing two kinds, which may be seen and compared in the courthouse stairs. South of King's river is a granite equal to the Scotch. Both light and red, and fine stone is to be found, from the dark steel-gray to almost white, in all parts of the range. Of the limestones and marbles, King's river canon contains fine marble in all shades, from the pure white to the dark mottled and mourning vein, in immense quantities and of superior qualities. When developed, this stone will be preferred to granite for building, as it is in greater variety, works easier, and is quite as serviceable. When burned it makes an excellent quality, susceptible of a high polish, and when burned produces a lime equal to the best Santa Cruz lime. Bordering on the King's river are found several large masses of marble and limestone. The main ledge is from 100 to 300 feet deep, and is composed mainly of white crystalline lime spar. Another ledge on Mill creek flat is especially adapted for building stone. With mountain railroads already surveyed, all the material will be brought into a ready market. Clays for Brick Of clays for brick, the supply is varied from that producing the bright red brick of the foothill slopes to those almost white from the westside clays. Any of the chocolate raisin lands make a good quality of brick when properly burned. The impression prevails that anything in the way of a shelter from the sun and wind is good enough for a dwelling in the mild climate of California; while on the contrary, in order to build for comfort, it is necessary to build with thick walls to keep out the heat of summer and to keep in the warmth in winter; and we are sure the near future will bring good, substantial buildings of brick and stone, with interiors finished in the elegant hard and soft woods of California.