USA > California > Napa County > History of Napa and Lake Counties, California : comprising their geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber, together with a full and particular record of the Mexican Grants, also separate histories of all the townships and biographical sketches > Part 23
USA > California > Lake County > History of Napa and Lake Counties, California : comprising their geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber, together with a full and particular record of the Mexican Grants, also separate histories of all the townships and biographical sketches > Part 23
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"Among the insect pests mentioned by different authors, there is perhaps none that bears so much analogy to our case as the invasion of the apple trees of North-western Europe by a certain relation of our phylloxera, the Myzoxylus. I once found among old papers an account of the devastations of this insect, the despair it caused in the cider-making districts, and very many remedies recommended. The insect still exists, but in very moderate proportion. Which of the many remedies recommended has reduced the Myzoxylus to a more reasonable style of living I could not find. I think none of them. Medical men know very well the more remedies they possess against a disease the more incurable it is. I do not assume to criticise the different methods recommended for the destruction of the phylloxera, but their very number appears to me a proof that none of them has answered.
"Let us follow the way Nature has pointed out to us. First, let us isolate the infected patches as much as possible. The subterranean phyl- loxera cannot spread when we do not prepare its way by plowing and weeding the vicinity.
"Then let us favor as much as possible those insects which we know feed on aphidians, especially the spiders ; we must protect their webs. It is true they are not ornamental, but they are the most effective means to prevent the winged phylloxera from colonizing other parts of the vineyard.
" I have to mention yet the ant as a friend and patron of leaf-lice, which he keeps as cattle, and colonizes them in his subterranean galleries. There is not a fact of this kind known in regard to phylloxera, but at any rate the ant is a suspicious neighbor, and his hills have to be destroyed.
" Till Science has given us a destroying medium of quicker action, let us imitate and assist the slow, but effective process begun by Nature ; and whatever plan we adopt, let us act in concert."
" Supplement number one, to the report of the Board of Regents of the University of California, College of Agriculture, recently issued, contains a fund of information for grape growers. We cull from its pages the follow- ing valuable results of investigations relative to the phylloxera :
The name of phylloxera-pronounced fillo-xee-ra, accent on the second sylable-meaning " leaf witherer," was originally given to a kind of plant louse which infests the European oak. Sixteen species are now known, only one of which affects the interests of man. It was first discovered in America, in New York, in 1856, on the leaves of native vines. The " foot rot " of vines, first mentioned as existing in France about 1865, was shown three years later to be due to wingless lice, but their identity with those
200
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
inhabiting the leaf galls of certain native American vines was not then suspected. It was subsequently proved that root lice could be transplanted to the leaves of certain varieties of vines, and likewise the leaf louse to roots of some varieties. From 1870 up to the present time the phylloxera has spread in France with frightful rapidity, destroying wholly or partially thousands upon thousands of acres in the wine growing districts. A prize of, first, 30,000, then 60,000, then 300,000 francs, has been offered for the discovery of an effectual and practical remedy for the scourge, but, although hundreds have been brought forward, the prize has not yet been awarded. On account of the ravages of the insect universal alarm has been created in Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal and Italy.
The phylloxera in many respects resembles the common plant louse. All are quite small, the perfect winged form of the vine louse being about one-twentieth of an inch in length. Its peculiar feature is the great variety of forms which it is capable of assuming under different circumstances. Among them are two chief types, the leaf-inhabiting or gall louse, and the root-inhabiting or root louse. The former habitually infests the leaves of certain native grapes in the Eastern States, covering the surface of the leaf with numerous swellings of irregular shape, and often of a reddish tint, in which are found a wingless, female insect. When the gall is filled with from two hundred to five hundred eggs the mother louse dies. The eggs hatch in from six to eight days into active little larvæ, which soon leave the gall, go to the upper surface of downy young leaves and insert their suckers. The leaves soon begin to swell below, while a reddish down surrounds the louse above, gradually closing it in. The gall forms in a few days. The grown louse deposits its eggs until the gall is filled and then dies. Tender shoots and tendrils are also attacked by the louse and covered with swellings. Towards the end of September the galls are mostly empty, the lice having gone to the roots to hibernate.
On the European vine, also on the Mission grape of California, leaf galls have scarcely been known to be formed, the attacks of the insects being directed against the roots. The gall louse is found occasionally on most of the grape varieties cultivated in the Eastern States, which will, when placed upon uncongenial foliage, descend to the roots. It never acquires wings and can spread but slowly, by crawling, and the same is true of the root louse, so long as it does not assume the winged form. It migrates through crevices in the soil or along the roots, or even over the surface of the ground, if it be not too sandy. Being unable to travel over or through sand its progress is so checked in sandy regions as to make it almost powerless for harm.
The injury done by the gall louse is comparatively insignificant, or is easily rendered so by a little early attention. It is quite otherwise with
201
Viticulture in Napa County.
the root louse, whose presence is usually unsuspected until it has seriously injured one crop at least, and which in any case is most difficult to reach. The first effect produced by the attack of the louse is a swelling of the tender white rootlets, which it prefers to the older and harder portions. As the invading army moves on, root after root is left behind to decay. During the first year the vine usually shows but little appearance of disease, save that the fruit is slow to ripen or matures but imperfectly. In the second year the enemy rapidly approaches to the center, destroying all the finer rootlets. The vine appears sickly, with stunted, yellowish leaves, and fails to mature fruit. Before one vine is completely exhausted, the lice leave it for others that are healthy. Unfortunately, up to the present time, nearly all the grape varieties planted in California belong to one of the most sen- sitive species. The idea entertained by many that the Mission vines are free from the attacks of phylloxera, has been proven false. From some cause not yet understood, its advance in California has been comparatively slow, while in France it has been far otherwise.
Observations made by residents of Sonoma Valley have failed to reveal the presence of the winged form in the vineyards, and it still remains true that it has not as yet been seen abroad in California. For the reason that the spread of the louse is much slower here than in France, it must be easier to check its progress. The problem to be solved in combatting the pest is a difficult one, not because of any tenacity of life in the insect itself, but simply on account of the difficulty of devising any remedy that will reach every one of the mattled rootlets of a vineyard, over its entire surface, and to a depth of from three to four feet, with the additional conditions that the remedy must be cheap, not only as regards the material, but also the work of application, and must not injure the vines materially. If the vines can be flooded during the dormant period for a sufficient length of time, the lice will be destroyed, but this remedy is only applicable in iso- lated cases.
Any measure intended for the repression or destruction of the phylloxera must, in order to be effective, extend not only over the entire surface, but also into the depths of the soil as far as the rootlets reach. After repeated experi- ments, bisulphide of carbon has been found most satisfactory. The remedy can be administered so as to merely repress the insect while the vine is kept in bearing (culture treatment), or to exterminate both insect and vine. The insecticide must be applied only when the soil is fully moist, though not water-soaked. In dry soil, and in the dry warm season, the vapor is ren- dered inert. The greatest advantage accrues if the remedy is applied after the rootlets have hardened in autumn, winter, or in early spring, before they develop. For the culture treatment the carbon bisulphide must be used in small doses of one-fourth to one-sixth of an ounce each injected into the
202
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
holes from ten to sixteen inches deep, which must be instantly closed up on the removal of the injector. Of these holes there must be at least three per square yard of vineyard surface, regularly and evenly distributed. When the death treatment is intended the number of the holes or the dose, or both, are to be increased in a ratio that varies with the nature of the soil. Manures rich in potash and nitrogen should accompany the use of the in- secticide, in order to enable the plant to maintain as nearly as possible the normal condition. Unleached wood ashes are admirably adapted to the purpose. On strong clay soils a dressing of quicklime will produce, for the time being, an effect similar to that of the direct application of potash manures, while at the same time it will facilitate tillage and impart to the soil the qualities of those on which the best of wild vines are found. Stable manure is excellent-the only question is how to get enough of it.
As to the cause of this pest there are a host of theories, ranging from a diseased condition of the vine to the Judgment of God, sent in answer to the prayers of the Evangelical Alliance, held in New York City, a few years ago. The most prevalent theory, however, is, that they thrive best if they are not developed, in poor, clayey, cold and wet land. All those conditions which tend to weaken the growth of a vine, naturally tends as well to the fostering of the phylloxera. When once generated, they can be transplanted on cuttings, etc., or they may migrate during their winged state from farm to farm.
The question of ridding the country of these pests is the one that is absorbing the attention of all interested now. Many washes and chemical applications have been made, and most of them in vain. Some seem to have no effect on either insect or vine, others destroy the vine, others form unfavorable unions with the component parts of the soil, while but few indeed seem to have any permanent effect upon the parasite. An insecticide, known as the bisulphide of carbon, is just now the most popular of all remedies, both in France and in this country. There is no doubt but that some efficient remedy will be discovered, as there is too inuch at stake to let it pass unaccomplished, and because the French savants have not found the right thing, it is no evidence that some Yankee genius will not, and when it is discovered we will prophesy that it will be some simple thing, that everybody ought to know about. As yet the devastation has been small in this State compared with France, where millions of vines have been ruined, where there have been hundreds here.
NAPA COUNTY .- Passing from a general consideration of Viniculture to the special field of Napa County, we find that grapes have been grown here since a very early day ; some vines in the county, notably those on the old Dr. Bale place, now the property of W. W. Lyman, being over thirty years of age. Of course these old vines are all of the Mission variety.
203
Viticulture in Napa County.
From these old vineyards in those early times, wine was made in the rude way described at the first of this chapter.
In 1858 Mr. Charles Krug came to Napa County, and on what is known as the Patchett place, then adjoining Napa City, he made about one thousand two hundred gallons of wine. This, was the first wine ever made in Napa County by other than Spainards and Spanish processes. His appliances were crude, consisting of a small cider press only.
The next year, 1859, Mr. H. A. Pellet, also now of St. Helena, followed Mr. Krug as wine-maker at the Patchett place. He remained there two years, making four thousand gallons the first year and three thousand the next. And thus was the great industry of wine-making introduced within the borders of Napa County.
About this time Dr. G. B. Crane saw that grapes thrived well in Cali- fornia, and conceived the idea that it would be a profitable venture to plant a vineyard. He began casting about for a suitable location for a vinery, where land and climate were well adapted to the growing of the vine. He figured it out that a vineyard would produce one thousand gallons to the acre, and that he could easily market it for one dollar a gallon. Thus, on paper, the enterprise seemed to be a great bonanza. He was at that time a resident of San José, California, and from what he could learn from the sources of information at hand, he decided that the Napa Valley possessed the requisite qualifications to a greater degree than did the Santa Clara Valley, so he came into Napa Valley and purchased the place he now owns near the town of St. Helena. Here he planted the pioneer vineyard of the great St. Helena district for wine purposes. What a grand pride must swell the heart of the hardy old pioneer in wine vineyards when he now looks forth upon the broad acres of the lovely valley all covered with thrifty, bearing vines, saying to himself in the meanwhile, " I set the movement on foot which has accomplished all this !" And did he not ? He broke the path, and what followed was in his footsteps.
At this late date it is impossible to follow up the chain of progress that has been made in this industry in the district, but the records of the St. Helena Viticultural Society will give the requisite information. We will here note the fact, however, that as soon as Dr. Crane had established the fact that cuttings would live and grow vigorously on a dry, gravelly soil, without irrigation, a large number of enterprising men were ready to follow his example. Among the most prominent and first to embark in this business should be named Charles Krug, H. A. Pellet, John 'Lewelling, Matthew Vann, H. W. Crabb, General E. D. Keyes, on the place now owned by William Scheffler, and to whom is due the credit of erecting the first cellar which might be really called first-class. These vineyardists were supplemented by a large number of smaller ones, whose vineyards ranged
204
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
from five to twenty acres, until in a short time all that section known as the St. Helena district was entirely filled up.
THE ST. HELENA VITICULTURAL CLUB was organized December 18, 1875, with the following membership: Charles Krug, Connelly Conn, H. A. Pellet, Charles Wheeler, R. A. Haskin, C. Heymann, J. H. McCord, H. W. Crabb, Dr. G. B. Crane, Seneca Ewer, J. C. Weinberger, John Thomann, John Lewelling, Oscar Schultz, John York, D. O. Hunt. The first officers were: Charles Krug, President ; H. W. Crabb, Connelly Conn, Seneca Ewer, Vice-Presidents ; H. A. Pellet, Secretary ; J. C. Weinberger, Treas- urer. From its organization the club met regularly twice a month, added rapidly to its members, and now has a membership of over one hundred. Of the good the club has done by the dissemination of knowledge as to the various and best modes of viticulture, the introduction and propagation of choice varieties of grapes, both for wine and for the table, we will let its President, Mr. Charles Krug, say by reproducing the following from his re- port as a member of the State Viticultural Association :
" The vast amount of good the St. Helena Viticultural Association has done during the few years of its existence cannot be doubted. It has, by publication of its minutes and deliberations, spread a great amount of in- formation among the grape-growers and wine men of this county and State. It has drawn the attention of many persons looking out for vineyard land to this section, caused them to buy and settle among us, and to assist the building up of our county. It has lent its help and applied its influence to frustrate the immense exertions the French emissary, Leon Chotteau, made in Congress to change the specific duty of forty cents per gallon on wine to twenty-five cents ad valorem. If he had succeeded, our grapes would not bring more than ten dollars per ton. It has started an organization to keep the pernicious phylloxera from our beautiful vineyards, and you are well aware one man alone can do nothing in this line-only united action by all can ward off the dreaded calamity.
" It intends to secure great benefits to this neighborhood by collecting and publishing valuable statistics showing the superiority of our climate, the great fertility of our soil, the energy of those who are engaged in viti- culture, the great demand for our cuttings, and many other points well adapted to attract culture and wealth to our district. Its intimate connec- tion with the State Viticultural Commission offers us ample opportunity, with a very small outlay, to have our soils and products analyzed, lectures given on important subjects connected with our interests, such as manuring, etc. It will import, or cause to be imported, phylloxera-proof cuttings from best sources of the Mississippi Valley and elsewhere. In short, our associa- tion has done a great amount of good, and, properly conducted, will do
205
Viticulture in Napa County.
much more in future for our district and wine interests, just in the propor- tion as we enable it by our support financially and personally to do so."
In 1878 the St. Helena United States Revenue Bonded Warehouse, a building 40x60 feet, fire proof, was erected under the auspices of the Society, for the purpose of storing grape brandy in bond.
In 1880 Viticultural Hall, a two-story building, finely finished, was also erected, the lower hall for the wine-growers, and the upper for the grangers.
In 1881 an addition of seventy-five feet was added to the bonded ware- house to accommodate the increased demand for room to store brandy, making it now a fire-proof structure 40x135 feet -- both buildings an ornament to the town, and a monument to the pluck and enterprise of the Viticulturists of the upper valley.
PIONEER SHERRY MAKING .- But while awarding to the St. Helena Viticultural Society, in its associate capacity, the credit of systematizing the above-named leading industry of the section of country in which it is located, it would be unjust to withhold an acknowledgment of what is due to individual enterprise, and especially that kind of enterprise in which serious loss might be reasonably anticipated. A case in point we find in the introduction of the manufactory of sherry wines, and that, too, by a process not only unknown, but even then unheard of by California vine- yardists generally.
John Ramos, a Portuguese, at the time when Mission wine was being crowded out of the market by the superior quality of that made from the foreign grapes, claimed that he was practically familiar with the method by which ordinary wines were converted into a good merchantable sherry on the Island of Madeira by the "estufa," or heating process. Dr. Crane took the risk, furnished the means for building a twenty-six thousand gallon heater, and sold Ramos some eleven thousand dollars' worth of wines, Mission and foreign, on credit.
The experiment was a complete success. Crane was paid, and, after running his cellars and a one hundred acre vineyard for three years, Ramos and the partner, Frank Scaroni, with whom he had become associated, not only were able to pay their rents and other expenses, but had made money enough to establish each individually in the sherrying business.
And in this way it was demonstrated that Mission wine was equal, if not superior, to foreign for conversion into sherry, thereby greatly enhancing the value of many hundreds of acres of vineyard that had been planted be- fore it was possible to obtain a supply of foreign cuttings.
THE NAPA VITICULTURAL SOCIETY was organized in May, 1881, having the same general purpose in view that is held by the St. Helena Society,
·
206
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
viz : the advancement of the wine industry of Napa County. The meetings of the society are held monthly, at which time matters of interest are thoroughly discussed. We have not the space to give to these societies their just meed of praise for what they are doing, but would say that they are well worthy of being sustained, as they are a great source of benefit to the wine-growers of the county.
Table showing by districts the acreage of bearing vines, those planted in 1879, 1880 and 1881; also number of vines estimated on a basis of one thousand vines to the acre :
CALISTOGA DISTRICT.
NAME OF VINEYARDISTS.
Bearing.
1879.
1880.
1881.
Total Acres.
Total Vines
Ashton, Frank.
8
20
28
28,000
Beguhl, David.
4
4
4,000
Bennett, J. J
8
8
8,000
Butler, Mrs
12
12
12,000
Brown, Ed
3
9
12
12,000
Boase, W. & Co.
4
5
9
9,000
Boynton & Chapel.
25
25
50
50,000
Bruck, Mrs
10
15
25
25,000
Burk, -
3
3
3,000
Bounsall, J. C.
2}
22
2,500
Collins, S. W
11
6
5
22
22,000
Carter, M. M.
9
9
9,000
Contre, P.
4
8
12
12,000
Chambers, M
4
4
4,000
Demartin, R.
3
3
3,000
Garnett Ranch.
33
33
33,000
Griffin Place.
10
10
10,000
Guile, S. S.
3
2
10
15
15,000
Greer, Jno.
18
20
38
38,000
Gibbs, H. L.
2
2
23
2,500
Hoss, J. B.
3
3
3,000
Hoover, A
10
10
10,000
Hitchcock, Dr. & Mrs. Coit. . .
3
60
65
128
128,000
Head, John
16
16
16,000
Hansen, Wm.
3
3
3,000
Huntington, E. B.
...
...
4
4
4,000
Ingram, D. C.
5
...
....
.
...
....
10
10
10,000
..
...
. .
. .
. .
..
..
.
...
...
. .
. .
..
..
...
..
...
2
6
6,000
Horn, Jas.
4
. .
...
. .
...
5
5,000
Johnson, G. W
...
25
25
25,000
Blake, D. Jas
...
12
12
12,000
Burgess Brothers
.
.. .
·
207
Viticulture in Napa County.
NAME OF VINEYARDISTS.
Bearing.
1879.
1880.
1881.
Total Acres.
Total Vines.
Jewell, Chas
6
4
10
10,000
King, J. S.
92
92
9,500
Klotz, C. G.
10
15
25
25,000
Kellett, Sam.
8
4
14
26
26,000
Lincoln, H. L.
30
30
30,000
Lincoln, E. M
6
6
6,000
Linscott, O.
3
2
1
6
6,000
Light, A
15
5
20
20,000
Miller,
5
5
5,000
Martin, H
4
5
9
9,000
McGregor, J.
5
53
5,500
Manuel, D. A.
25
25
25,000
McEachran, C. T
13
2
1
16
16,000
Miscellaneous
21
12
33
. 33,000
Pratt, E.
20
20
20,000
Pickett, C. N
11
9
20
20,000
Pickett, M. C.
6
12
18
18,000
Pratt, Mrs.
1
4
5
5,000
Phillips, Wm.
30
15
45
45,000
Peterson, -
4
4
4,000
Randall, H. J.
3
6
9
9,000
Rowe, Jas.
3
3
3,000
Rose, D.
20
20
20,000
Sweitnetzer, A.
15
15
15,000
Safely Bros.
15
15毫
15,750
Simmons, A.
8
4
12
12,000
Schram, J.
50
4
6
60
60,000
Shamp, Mrs.
10
10
10,000
Teale, Jas.
15
15
15,000
Tucker, J.
4
4
4,000
Teale, C. L.
10
10
10,000
Teale, Geo.
17
17
17,000
Tucker, Geo.
10
Teale, P.
1
..
....
3
3
3,000
Tolly
4
4
4,000
Walsh, A. D ..
9
9
9,000
Weybright, J. C.
10
2
12}
12,500
Wilmott, S.
9
9
9,000
Walker, J.
2
4
6
6,000
Zoeller, H.
3
...
. .
13
16
16,000
..
. .
..
..
.
..
....
.
..
. .
. .
.
..
10
10,000
5,500
Turner & Faulding.
·
. .
.
. .
.
..
....
208
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
ST. HELENA DISTRICT.
NAME OF VINEYARDISTS.
Bearing.
1879.
1880.
1881.
Total Acres.
Total Vines.
Allison, J. H.
10
....
23
24
20
20,000
. Artich, J.
4
4
4,000
Adamson, C. P.
30
25
10
65
65,000
Andrazzy, J. M. & Co
20
20
20,000
Anthony, J ..
2
2
2,000
Amsbury & Davis.
55
55
55,000
Atkinson & Co.
190
190
190,000
Burke, W. F.
25
25
25,000
Bruch, L ..
...
...
9
9
9,000
Beringer Bros.
30
30
30,000
Behnken, F.
5
5
10
10,000
Beretta Bros.
7
7
7,000
Buehren, A. H.
10
2
12
12,000
Booker, J. W.
3
2
....
5
5,000
Breitenbuecher, G.
5
6
....
11
11,000
Benner, Geo. L.
14
1
3
18
18,000
Brun & Co.
2
20
22
22,000
Bourn, Mrs.
40
75
150
265
265,000
Brodt, A. W.
6
10
11
27
27,000
Brockhoff, C. M.
12
6
4
22
22,000
Beach, Geo. H.
3
1
4
5
13
13,000
Beerstecher, F.
10
20
20
20,000
Braghetta, J
1
....
1
2
2,000
Bateman, H.
15
15
15,000
Black, Alex
....
. .
...
2
2
2,000
Bailey, J ..
6
3
9
9,000
Benson, J.
80
50
130
130,000
Bateman, J.
80
.
·
· .
...
...
....
2
18
20
20,000
Bateman, H
...
7
10
13
50
50,000
Cleghorn, J
13
6
....
36
36,000
Carver, D. B.
2
.. . .
2
23
27
27,000
·
. .
5
30
30,000
Barrett, F. F.
.
6
6,000
Blair, J ..
10
10
10,000
Bradley, W
...
17
17
17,000
Beardsley, A. G.
.
.
15
15
15,000
Crochat, G. & Co
20
..
13
13,000
Conn, C ..
30
....
7
17
17,000
Amesbury, Thomas.
15
...
....
6
Bell, C. E ..
10
10,000
...
80
80,000
Bailey, E. A.
25
209
Viticulture in Napa County.
NAME OF VINEYARDISTS.
Bearing.
1879.
1880.
1881.
Total Acres.
Total Vines.
Chiles, J. C
1
.
...
6
6
6,000
Corthay, L.
18
3
14
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