The following sketches are intended to convey to those not living in the raisin districts of our State an idea of the men who have made a specialty of the raisin industry,—men through whose experiences and intelligent work others are now profiting.

While the raisin growers and packers can now be counted by the hundred, and while all of them have in some way contributed to the development of the industry, and as such deserve to be mentioned in the annals of this industry, it has only been practicable to here refer to a few of the most prominent. Where exactly to draw the line was not easy to decide, and my intention has been not to slight or neglect any one, and should any one find himself omitted he should account for it through my ignorance of real facts. I should especially have wished to add to these short notes more extensive accounts of the work and vineyards of R. B. Blowers of Woodland, of the late G. G. Briggs of Davisville, and of Robert McPherson of McPherson, but I have not been able to procure the necessary data. These three gentlemen have all greatly contributed to the development of the high standing of the raisin industry in this State.

G. G. BRIGGS.

Mr. Briggs was the first large raisin-grower in the State, and owned vineyards in both Solano and Yolo counties aggregating seven hundred acres or more. Subirrigation by means of perforated pipes, in which the water was made to circulate under pressure, was first tried extensively in Mr. Briggs’ vineyard at Davisville, by which means the grape crop was almost doubled. Later on Mr. Briggs planted extensively in the Washington Colony at Fresno, but he died before his vineyard there came into bearing. He is said to have imported raisin grapes direct from Spain, and a grape now growing in the vineyard of G. E. Freeman at Fresno is said to be of that variety. It resembles the Muscat of Alexandria in growth, but the berries are those of the Gordo Blanco. Mr. Briggs advised to give the raisin-vines more room, and following his ideas several vineyards as well as his own were planted with the vines ten by sixteen feet.

R. B. BLOWERS.

R. B. Blowers of Woodland, Yolo county, planted his first vines in 1863, and produced his first raisins in 1867. From 1870 to 1873 he planted the principal part of his vineyard. He was the first one in California to do any really careful packing, and he may justly be said to be the father of the raisin industry in this State. Mr. Blowers was the first to irrigate the raisin-vines by means of pumping and flooding, for which purpose he constructed his afterwards so famous well. The first successful raisin dryer was invented and built by him at a time when every one else doubted the propriety and desirability of drying grapes by artificial heat, and the dryer thus constructed has never yet been surpassed. One of the characteristics of the Blowers dryer was the blower or suction fan, by which means the air was changed in the dryer, the moist air being sucked out, while dry air was allowed to rush in. Mr. Blowers improved nearly every branch of the raisin industry, and studied every operation, such as plowing, irrigation, curing and packing, more thoroughly than any one ever did before or has done after him. Mr. Blowers’ raisins were the best in the State at their time, and wherever exhibited received the first premium. At the World’s Fair at Philadelphia, they received the first premium, and attracted much attention. I may add that Mr. Blowers is the inventor or at least the perfector of the “face-down” method of packing, the best method for packing raisins. Mr. Blowers has published a short essay on raisins, referred to elsewhere in this book.

ROBERT McPHERSON.

Robert McPherson was for Southern California what G. G. Briggs and R. B. Blowers were for the Northern part. The McPherson vineyard extended once over 360 acres of land, and one year he shipped over one hundred thousand boxes. Many of the practical devices for irrigating, curing and packing raisins now generally in use in the southern part of the State were invented by him. The McPherson vineyard was situated in Orange county in the southern part of this State. Robert McPherson was certainly the largest and most prominent raisin-grower in Southern California. He is now no longer in the business.

T. C. WHITE.

The “Raisina” vineyard was the first thoroughly conducted raisin vineyard in Fresno. It was planted by T. C. White in 1876, ’77 and ’78, and from that time gradually extended until it contained one hundred and twenty acres, of which sixty-five acres are in Muscatel grapes of the variety known as Gordo Blanco, brought there from the Blowers vineyard at Woodland. The vineyard also contains some Seedless Sultanas and White Corinths. The soil of the vineyard is white ash, the location two miles south of Fresno, in the old Central California Colony. The soil is now partly subirrigated. T. C. White has done a great deal to develop and perfect the packing and curing of raisins, and he has also given much time and study to the other branches of the industry, such as growing, pruning and cultivation. Through the study of the imported Spanish raisins, as well as of those produced by R. B. Blowers, Mr. White succeeded in packing a very superior brand, which has never been surpassed in this State. The brands packed at the Raisina vineyard were as follows: Dehesa Clusters, London Layers, California Layers, Loose Muscatels, and cartoons of two and one-half pounds. The largest pack at one time was thirteen thousand boxes of twenty pounds each. In order to “face” the boxes accurately and rapidly, T. C. White invented the facing-plate elsewhere described in this book. Experiencing considerable difficulty in properly facing his Dehesas, it occurred to him that a block or plate might be made with cavities in which the raisins could be placed quickly and without danger of being disturbed. His idea was entirely original, and the facing device as made by him is a perfect machine which has not been improved upon. This device is now covered by patents.

In packing T. C. White employed the Blowers’ method, or the “face-down” method, which he so improved upon that it has not since been excelled. Many of the fine points in raisin curing and packing were perfected by him, and the raisin industry will always be benefited by the work he has done. Below I give a list of the premiums taken by T. C. White’s raisins at various fairs: 1885, silver medal and special first premium for best raisins at the Mechanics’ Fair in San Francisco; 1886, first premium and gold medal at the Mechanics’ Fair in San Francisco; 1888, first premium and one hundred dollars for best raisins at the State Fair. Same year they received first premium and gold medal at the Fresno District Fair; 1889, first premium at the Fresno District Fair.

MISS M. F. AUSTIN.

The story of Miss M. F. Austin and her success with the Hedge Row Vineyard reads like a beautiful tale. A schoolteacher by occupation, Miss Austin possessed many prominent qualities and elevated ideas, among others that horticulture should become a business for women as well as for men. Acting upon these ideas, Miss Austin removed to Fresno in 1878 in company with a lady friend and teacher, Miss L. H. Hatch, and she began immediately to improve her Hedge Row Vineyard, a part of which had been planted two years before by Bernhard Marks, the founder of the Central California Colony. The vineyard was gradually extended until it contained one hundred acres, nearly all in Gordo Blanco vines. Miss Austin must be given credit for having improved upon many operations in the vineyard and in the packing-house. She first discovered that under proper conditions the sulphuring should be done in the flowers of the grapevines. By this method she one year largely increased her crop of grapes. In packing she showed her womanly taste and refinement, and not only succeeded in producing superior Layer and Dehesa raisins, but made several innovations in packing which to this day are imitated. Among these we may mention the packing in cartoons, and in small ornamented paper bags, which latter were again placed in paper boxes. Miss Austin and T. C. White were the originators of fancy packing in this State.

The largest pack of the Hedge Row Vineyard was seventy-five hundred boxes, while the total of one year’s pack reached sixteen thousand boxes. Miss Austin built the first raisin dryer in Fresno, and demonstrated that machine-dried raisins were a success if not a necessity as regards the last crop. The pluck and intelligence of Miss Austin soon became extensively known, and many were the ladies who, imitating her, engaged in horticulture and in the raisin industry. Fresno county and the State at large owe her a debt of gratitude for what she has done. Those who had the pleasure and honor of her friendship lost in her a dear and faithful friend, a brilliant and intelligent companion, and a person who had few equals in any path of life.

JOSEPH T. GOODMAN.

The owner of the Floreal vineyard arrived in Fresno in 1879, and purchased a then already started plantation, which, however, he soon greatly remodeled, enlarged and improved. Mr. Goodman, formerly one of the brilliant newspaper men and literary writers of this coast, and publisher of the Territorial Enterprise of Virginia City, Nevada, has probably more than any other man studied the characteristics and requirements of the raisin grapes. His vineyard, while not the largest, is in our opinion the best cared for in the State, and newcomers could perhaps not do better than learn from it. It now comprises one hundred and twenty acres, mostly in Gordo Blanco. For the curing of the grapes, thirty thousand trays or more are needed, while a separate packing-house and tray-shed are prominent features of the vineyard. The land was all leveled with great care before planting, and every check can be flooded if necessary. The soil is the very richest, being the chocolate-colored loam, which in Fresno is considered the best and strongest soil for Muscat grapes. The location of the vineyard is the old sink of Red Bank creek, in the same district where Forsyth’s and Butler’s vineyards are situated. As regards planting, pruning, sulphuring, topping and other vineyard operations, Mr. J. T. Goodman is an authority from whose verdict there is no appeal. The Floreal vineyard always bears good crops, which must be exclusively attributed to the care given the vineyard and to the judgment with which all operations there are conducted. Mr. Goodman has invented several appliances for facilitating the vineyard work, most prominent among which I may mention the vineyard truck, by the means of which the expenses of harvesting and some other vineyard labors are greatly reduced. He also suggested the facing-plate independently of T. C. White.

A. B. BUTLER.

The largest raisin vineyard in Fresno county or in the State of California, as well as in the world, is owned by A. B. Butler. The vineyard is situated about three miles southeast of Fresno, on the sink of Red Bank. It contains about six hundred acres, nearly all of which is planted in Muscat grapes of the Gordo Blanco and Alexandria varieties, and a few Sultanas. The vines are planted at various distances, such as ten by sixteen feet, and six by twelve feet, etc. The pruning is all “low standard,” except the Sultanas, which are staked four feet high. The only trees in the vineyard consist of two or three avenues of fig and poplar interspersed with fan palms, while some poplar trees line the outside boundaries of the vineyard. The first vines were set in 1879, and since that time the planting has been carried on until the whole six hundred acres are now in vines in full bearing. Mr. Butler himself superintends the general work of the vineyard, and during the packing time carefully watches the packing. The latter is accomplished in a large building containing packing-rooms, storerooms, steam dryer, separator, box factory and storeroom for labels. The dryer has a capacity of fifty tons charge of green fruit, and is considered one of the best in the State. There are two dryers, the large one just mentioned and one smaller, of twenty-five tons capacity, situated in the center of the vineyard. The Butler raisins are celebrated all over the continent, and are most excellently packed. The labels used are very fine and are manufactured to order in France. The principal brand packed is “Butler’s Cluster Raisins.”

Mr. Butler acquired much experience in Spain, where he spent considerable time studying the raisin business. The output of the vineyard has been as high as one hundred thousand boxes per year. Similar to the other vineyards in this district, the soil of the Butler vineyard is among the very best in the county, all now subirrigated. Mr. Butler is the largest packer in the State, and his raisins have gained a continental reputation. As regards Spanish methods of packing, Mr. Butler is better posted than any other packer in the State. An interesting essay on Mr. Butler’s experiences in California and in Spain is published in monthly California for March, 1890. The crop this year promises to be of extra quality.

WILLIAM FORSYTH.

The owner of the Forsyth vineyard and the producer of one of the two finest brands of raisins in this State arrived in Fresno in 1881, and planted his present vineyard of one hundred and sixty acres in 1882 and 1883. The vineyard is situated in the sink of Red Bank creek, some four miles east of Fresno, and consists of heavy reddish or chocolate-colored soil of unusual richness. The vines used are almost entirely the Gordo Blanco variety, with a few Sultanas. The land is all leveled, was irrigated the first year only, and is now subirrigated and drained, requiring no further irrigation of any kind. The vines, set eight by eight feet, are pruned low, and given short spurs. The outbuildings consist of a packing-house, and equalizing or sweating house combined, thirty-five by one hundred and seventy feet. A dryer of late pattern, with steam boilers and flues, has a capacity of forty tons at a charge. The houses for the laboring men as well as the Colonel’s dwelling-house are most elegant and complete, and show the care and refined taste of the owner. Over fifty thousand trays for drying the raisins are used in curing, the trays being three feet square, large enough to hold thirty pounds of grapes. The grove of palms, ornamental and shade trees, the flowers and shrubbery surrounding the Colonel’s home in the center of the vineyard, are all models of beauty and testify to the culture and prosperity of one of our foremost raisin-growers.

The vineyard produces yearly from fifty to sixty thousand boxes of twenty pounds each, of the highest quality of raisins. The raisins are remarkable for their high grade and even packing. The brands are: Forsyth’s Imperial Clusters, the “Tiger” brand and the “Forget-me-not” brand. During the packing and picking season some two hundred and fifty hands are employed daily in the various departments, all under the direct supervision of Colonel Forsyth himself, who has gained his experience both by practical work in California and by visits to the raisin districts of Spain. During the latter he has gained much experience about foreign methods, which he has not been slow to apply in his own business. As regards location, the Forsyth vineyard is not surpassed by any, and as regards appointments it is the most complete and handsome establishment that can be found anywhere. The Forsyth raisins excel in quality of berry, grade, uniformity of size and in the elegance and care with which they are packed. They stand at the head of the California raisin product. Col. Forsyth has been appointed Commissioner for California at the World Fair in Chicago, 1892.

A. D. BARLING.

Among our younger raisin-growers and packers, Mr. A. D. Barling occupies a prominent place. A sketch of his life and connection with the raisin industry is most interesting. He came to the raisin district with only a dollar in his pocket. To-day he is a wealthy grower and packer, whose raisin brand is among the best in the State.

Mr. Barling, formerly of Michigan, was educated at Ann Arbor. In 1873 he left college and started West, settling in Merced county, California. There he became connected with the Farmers’ Canal Co., as their chief engineer, which position he held for seven years, and in that capacity conducted the water of the Merced river down to Livingston on the S. P. R. R. From Merced he went to Mexico in the employ of the Mexican Central Railroad, but returned to San Francisco, California, in 1882. Here he had charge of the construction of the large wharf at Alameda point, then being constructed by the S. P. R. R. Co.

Becoming tired of working for a salary, Mr. Barling went to Fresno and rented a lot in the Central Colony. By dint of hard work, not having any capital at all to start with, he and his wife saved one thousand dollars, with which they purchased the present El Modelo vineyard, paying forty-five dollars per acre for the rough land in 1885. Mr. Barling and his wife went to work with a will and set out the land in Muscat cuttings, but through unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances all the first planting was lost. Undaunted they replanted in 1886 with great success, and to-day they own one of the finest and best-paying 150-acre vineyards in the county, having yearly added new territory to the first purchase. Last season they packed sixteen thousand boxes of Muscat raisins, and established the El Modelo brand, which in the market is considered second to none, and which has established an enviable reputation for its packers. This year’s pack is estimated to reach fifty thousand boxes of twenty pounds each. Mr. Barling’s thorough education and skill and experience as an engineer has materially contributed to his success. He has also held the position of assistant cashier in the Fresno Loan & Savings Bank for the last five years.

FRANK H. BALL.

The Ball Vineyard adjoins the town of Fresno, and is situated in the rich red lands, the sink of old creeks. The one hundred and twenty acres in Muscatels are among the best cared for in the district. Mr. Ball possesses the faculty of doing the necessary work at the right time and doing it thoroughly. The crop is annually sold in the sweatboxes to packers in Fresno City, no raisins being packed on the vineyard. Mr. Ball is the author of an excellent essay on raisin-grape growing and curing, published in the California for July, 1890. His methods of culture and curing are the best, and the raisins produced by them are not surpassed by any in the State. Mr. Ball is one of our most successful raisin-men.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY RAISIN PACKERS, 1889.