SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN June 12, 1920 What About Our ?

A Few Reasons Why Prohibition Is Not Going to Bankrupt the California Growers By Arthur Dahl L. ALIFORNIA growers have been with the possible exception of the "kick." C so accustomed to finding markets in Since many of the processes involved all parts of the United States, and abroad, in the making of are similar for their products that adverse condi­ to those used in wine making, it has been tions affecting the industry in one local­ found possible to utilize a good deal of ity did not loom up disastrously, as other the equipment already installed in the markets could be developed. But the wineries. advent of prohibition swept away as by Grapes, even if carefully handled, will a tornado the entire commercial market keep in good condition at most for only for wine grapes for the making of wine, a few days. The juice, however, care­ and the growers of the West build fully handled, will commence to ferment up a new market for their future crops in a few hours after extraction. Most without the old pattern to go by. vineyards are so situated that the grapes Will the wine-grape industry survive ? can be brought in good condition to the The farther away we get from the "wet" winery, but once there they must be period, the brighter seems the prospect crushed quickly or they will spoil. As for the continued prosperity of this in­ soon as the juice is extracted it must be dustry, for new methods of utilizing the made into syrup or preserved in some grapes are being worked out constantly. way. As the vintage in any one locality When the storm clouds of prohibition lasts only four or five weeks, the prob­ were slowly gathering over our land, lem on which the grape growers are now there were many who doomed the vine­ working is to devise some means for yards to destruction, for they thought keeping the pressed juice until it can be that wine grapes were good for one and made into syrup. A number of the viti- Drying wine grapes in California by means of tIle sun only one thing, and that the making of cultural scientists of the Department of wine. Close the wineries, said they, and the wine new syrup is expected to compete successfully with Agriculture and of the University of California, are grapes would have to rot on the vines for there would maple and other high-class , and the new product working on the problem, and already some very suc­ be no other way to utilize them. is also said to have an advantage in that it will pro­ cessful results have been obtained in the use of a That there are many other ways of utilizing wine vide a very appetizing and delightful drink when sulfurous acid preservative that is harmless and does grapes is shown by the range of prices not affect the flavor of the juice. offered growers for their 1920 production. As grapes contain a high percentage of These prices are, in many instances, as , they lend themselves admirably to high as the top prices paid for grapes in are the readjuslmen13 which the coming of prohibition has syrup making. The riper the grapes the the sunniest days of the "wet" regime_ more sugar they contain and the mc're brought to the industrial and commercial world. Perhaps the most Grapes are being bought today for dry­ ANY sugar. they will yield. Cull table grape� ing, for the making of table syrup, for serious problem, as well as the one which has receioed most aUention at the beginning of the season may show pressing into soft beverages and for the Min the press, has been that of the ultimate fate of the breweries, with their a sugar content as low as 15 per cent, but making of . buildings and machine equipment representing an inoestment of $700,000,000 wine grapes are usually gathered when During 1918 and 1919 vast quantities or more. But the manufacturers were not the only ones who had to find a they show 22 per cent to 23 per cent, and of wine grapes grown in California were new field of operations. The plight of a middle-aged person with flat feet often as high as 27 per cent. One hun' dried in the sun, following the process and soft hands who �nows how to do nothing except seroe drin�s and who is dred gallons of juice at 23 degrees Balling used for the making of raisins, and the barred by legislatioe enaclment from this occupation furnishes ample material coQ.tains close to 190 pounds of grape dried product then shipped to various 19 Jor humor or tragedy, according to the resourcefulness of the individual. sugar ; at degrees Balling, only about parts of the Unite States and Canada for 157 pounds ; but at 27 degrees Balling, Eoen more hopelessly involoed than the bartender, however, seem to be those the making of wine in the home. This about 223 pounds. was not a new thing, for during the phyl­ who haoe been engaged in the growing of the various crops from which haoe The volume of one ton of stemmed loxera crisis in France, millions of gal­ been manufactured the beoerages that are now taboo. The raw materials grapes at 23 degree Balling is 29 cubic lons of wine were made from dried grapes employed in the ma�ing of distilled, malt and vinous liquors in 1909 were feet or 219 gallons. This consists of imported from and Greece, and oalued respectively at 37, 96Y2 and 6Y2 millions of dollars. ObViously these skins, seeds, and juice in varying propor­ while not equal to the wine made from .. raw materials " are almost entirely agricultural produc13 li�e hops, barley, tions. The average volume of juice actu­ the freshly pressed grapes, the wine made corn, rye, grapes, etc, It might well seem at first glance hopeless to see� neW ally present may be taken as about 190 from the dried product proved very ac­ mar�e13 for this bul� of croppage. But as far as the grapes are concerned­ gallons, but it will vary from 175 to 210, ceptable to the wine-loving people of doubtless one of the smallest items in question but neoertheless large enough according to the variety and the develop­ France. ment of the berry. Wineries, by crush­ to count, and significant of the way the Wind blows-as far the grapes are A ton of fresh grapes with 23 per cent as ing and pressing can separate more or of sugar will yield about 550 pounds of concerned-Mr. Dahl tells us in this article that the problem is soloed, a�d less of this juice from the solids of the dried grapes. If this quantity is fer­ then some.- grapes. The average volume of juice ex- mented with 180 gallons of water it will THE EoITOR. tracted in this way from unfermented produce 180 gallons of wine with an al- grapes will not much exceed 150 gallons coholic content of about 11 per cent. per ton. The remainder, about one-fifth Many individual growers are planning to dry all their diluted with water. So successfully does the Serailian of the whole, is retained by the pomace, or solid mat­ wine grapes this year and dispose of them as raisins process preserve all of the delicate bouquet of the grape, ter. for purposes. It has been found that dried that the grape syrup, when made into a drink is said An enormous amount of neutral syrup is used in the wine grapes, when made into pies or puddings, possess to possess all of the qualities of the vanished wine canning industry, and tests have been made to de­ a distinctive flavor that is very pleasant. termine the advisability of using grape This flavor so closely resembles black­ syrup with canned fruit. Certain , berries that the new product is expected such as loganberries, black cherries, and to become very popular with restaurants, some peaches were as good when canned bakers and other large consumers of pie with grape syrup as with sugar. Apri­ fruits. cots were improved in color but the flavor What promises to prove an extensive was less fresh. Pears were darkened market for fresh grapes is the new grape somewhat but the flavor was good. By syrup industry that is being vigorously mixing grape syrup with the ordinary pushed by many difl'erent concerns on sugar syrup splendid results were ob­ the Pacific Coast. Grape syrup has been tained, and it is expected that a consider­ made for a long time, but practically all able market can be created for grape the product was utilized in sweetening syrup in connection with the canning in­ and fortifying , and no effort was dustry. made to get out a superior quality for Another prospective market for wine use as a table syrup. grapes is in the manufacture of grape Under a new process, invented by juice. Un to the present time the western Mihran K. Serailian, long identified with grape has not made a very satisfactory Luther Burbank, it is now possible to juice for beverage and the market for produce a grape syrup that retains all this drink has been virtually monopolized of the distinctive flavor and aroma of by the eastern Concord grape. That the the grape, and when used as a table syrup California grape will produce a very high it proves most delightful. On hot cakes, quality of was shown at the

muffins ana other breakfast foods, the Picking wine grapes in Calirornia, but for what purpose ? (Continued on page 660)

© 1920 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC. SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN 660 June 12, 1920 Succeeding in Radio Engineering can no longer buy the bulk of the crop, many people are turning their serious at­ (Continued from page 641,) tention to the manufacture of a superior sive research laboratories and employ a quality of grape juice that will win a full staff of men well qualified to carry place in all the markets of the world. on research work of the deepest dye. At California-made champagnes and wines the present time many millions of dollars were slowly but steadily building up a are being expended annually on radio re­ reputation for quality and excellence search. In fact, most of the radio en­ equal to that of foreign wines, and if gineers today are engaged in research the dry wave had not stopped this prog­ \York. ress, the western wines would some day Those who contemplate a career in have won their way to the top, and the radio engineering will be interested to same quality will now be put into the know that the great General Electric new products to be made from the fruits Company has recently turned its atten­ of the vineyards. tion to the radio field. The entire inter­ Another outlet for wine grapes is in ests of the Marconi Wireless Telegraph their use for the making of vinegar. Company were purchased outright and While apple vinegar has held the center a new concern, The Radio Corporation, of the stage in the -United States, wine formed which is part of the General Elec­ or grape vinegar has been the standard in tric interests. Nothing could argue more most European countries. Compared to strongly for the future of radio than this. apple vinegar, grape vinegar has a higher No young man could wish for a more flavor and greater strength, so that even promiSing field. Radio science has just if it is necessary to sell it for a higher reached the point where it is receiving price, it can be used more economically extensive application and yet it is in than ordinary vinegar. Its infancy. It is where electrical engi­ EVER. The making of vinegar from grapes QUALITY' MAINTAINED neering was thirty-five years ago. The usually requires from 6 to 10 months, TIMES CHANGE BUT LEAVE opportunity to make a career while be­ and there are several processes for doing UNCHANGED TH E ing able to stamp around "on the ground this. The present equipment of many HAVE MADE QUALITIES floor" is here. wineries can be utilized, to a large ex­ WHWOICHRLD STANB,VD DA. THRDE tent, in the making of vinegar, and the OF SUMME-WIDE� COM FORT. CheckingUp Einstein industry possesses considerable oppor­ NO UN DER\XIEAR. IS BV'D'W1THOUT (Continued from page 646) tunities for expansion. TH I S R.E.D WOV EN LA BEL Morley of Western Reserve University, The utilization of the various by-prod­ who had also assisted Michelson. So ucts of grapes is receiving the considera­ MADE FOR THE great was the scientific interest in the tion of government experts, and it is experiments that funds were appropri­ thought that considerable salvage can l)e ated by the Rumford Committee of the made from this source. The pomace from American Academy to finance a more a ton of grapes weighs from 250 to 350 BEST RETAIL TRADE pounds and contains valuable matter. It ...... us."""' .... _"""- thorough test . The present apparatus was then con­ contains about 15 per cent of dissolved THE 8'V' D CO M PANY structed of steel and every effort was solids, principally sugar, and some cream NEWJ0R-K. made to avoid the criticism which Dr. of tartar. The seeds contains about 8 Michelson had to meet. In addition the per cent of an oil valuable for table use apparatus was made much more sensitive and for industrial purposes. The press and many possibilities of error were elim­ cake from which the oil has been ex­ inated. Morley and Miller used this ap­ tracted is used as a stock food, or the paratus for a long series of experiments tannin content can be extracted by leach­ in 1904, 1905 and 1906 and their work ing. verified in every way the results of Michelson. Directing the Detourist It was then suggested that perhaps no (Continued from page 649) Catalogue of Scientific and T ethnical Books drift was detected because the experi­ distance only to admit people living ou ments were conducted in an enclosed wtinll 2500 title. and on 500 .abject. road. TURN. You Cannot Get Through." basement room, and that if the apparatus This board w!).s "snapped" in Madison. were taken away from buildings, a dif­ ELECTED from more than 7,000 Books still in print. This catalogue is the I should record also the public spirit ferent result would be found. Although latest and best list of technical and scientific literature which can be se­ of some highway authority in Doniphan S this was an admission that it had been cured Conditions in the publishing business are most severe and it is with County, Kansas. Near the town of Troy, at least proven that ether does not per­ difficulty that many books can be obtained. For this reason this timely cata­ on the Pike's Peak Ocean-to-Ocean High­ vade all matter, to meet this objection the logue of books which can be had will be particularly welcome. way, a necessary hyphen to our course apparatus was moved to high ground, was mlssmg. Very considerately a Sign Write to-day for your copy. Sent free on application. away from buildings and the experiments had been set back at the last cross road repeated. The instrument was protected which could accommodate us, "Bridge out. from the weather only by a transparent Go % mile east then north." We did it. housing. The remarkable thing is that in SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO. Thanks. this case deflections were consistently 233 Broadway, Woolworth Bldg. New York, N. Y. Some contrast, that, to another experi­ noted. Finally both experimenters de­ cided on a vacation and during their ab­ ence in the Sunflower State, when we mis­ sence the land on which their station was lai d an hour's time and temper trying to set up was sold. The machine was taken get around a blockade in the edge of a down by assistants and stored at Case county seat. No directions were posted School. and no persons were present to respond to a "Show me." Ultimately our unguided Quan ity Production. as America The experiments, at that time, seemed knows the term, has made to have led into a sort of "blind alley," "swing-around" led us from dry to wet possible only by the been and sinc e no explan ation was offered, earth and that humiliating position of tools and to theof science calmly forgot the matter and the having plenty- of power but no traction ! demands of Industry. experi ments were never carried to the The rear wheels spun and got hot and And for for y years the products of point of positive results. smooth and "smelly." We had chains The L. S. Starrett Company have As Einstein himself has said, however, along, but had not needed them up to that helped machinists serve the country's these experiments furnished the incen­ mud hole. Some neighborly natives came oecicI. tive for the development of his revolu­ to the rescue with spades and kindling A QI I>II Hack Saw Charl "B" tionary theory. Their repetition has been .enl on requu/. wood and shoulders. Yet we'd much urged as a matter of scient fic in­ prime i rather pull some other car out of a hole terest. than be pushed out ourselves ! THEThe World'. L. S. STARRETTGreatool ToolmakeRCO. The townsfolk or farmers living near Hack Saw. UDexcelled What About Our Wine Grapes? Mho. of a break may know where to drive to (Continued from page 648) MASS. dodge it and return to the proper path Those that ATHOL, Panama Pacific Exposition. beyond, but in these days of the preva­ won the chief awards were better than lence of motor vehicles prac tically any anything of the kind that can now be roa may upon occasion carry passenger found on the market whether made from carsd or freight trucks from the next California or eastern grapes. In the old county or from the far side of the state, days the market for all varieties of while any marked highway presumably grapes grown in Californ ia was so as­ invites trans-state strangers come and sured that little effort was made to com­ to As tourists r as de tourists, pete with the eastern manufacturers of ride over it. o safely on ? grape juic e, but now that the wineries why not them

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