| OCR Text |
Show 110 WESTERN WILDS. less of the acid Sonoma variety ; these had a strong fiery taste. Every known species, from the extreme north to the tropics, seems to find here a second native country, as it were, where it attains to great size and fineness of flavor. Every district in California produces its own peculiar wine, but all the lighter kinds go by the general name of " Sonoma AVhite," the manufacture having begun at Sonoma. It has been claimed that the use of light wines lessens the demand for strong liquors. It certainly has not produced that effect in California. While the Eastern tourist is eager for his draught of ice- cooled Sonoma, the old Californian invariably calls for whisky. Perhaps it is because they used whisky so long before wine became plenty. On every road from the larger towns is a series of hotels, with bar attach-ment, usually known as the One- mile House, the Two- mile House, etc.; and a man's capacity ( in other words the length of time he has been in California) is usually guaged by the number he can patronize on his way to and from town. The " pilgrim" often falls before he reaches town. The man who has been here a few years gets in with his team, disposes of his load, and usually has to spend the night at the One- or Two- mile House. But the old Californian drinks at every place on his way in, transacts business with a clear head, reverses the drinking process at every place going out, even to the Ten- mile House, and gets home in good condition to do his evening's work and enjoy himself in the bosom of his family. Besides figs and grapes there is very little fruit grown in the main valley; but in all the little mountain vales, both in the Coast Range and Sierras, is produced almost every fruit of the temperate and tropical climes. Apples are not so finely flavored as in the East, and pears are large and coarse ; but peaches are better, and plums, damsons, and nectarines perfectly delicious. It is in grapes, however, that California particularly excels. From Davisville I traveled up Putah Creek all day through a rich level country, covered now with the rich haze of autumn, the air seeming full of red dust and smoke ; passed occasionally clumps of trees and very inferior looking farm- houses, seldom painted or well- finished ; traversed mile after mile of continuous wheat fields, with stubble still bright though the crop was harvested four months ago, and found the same dry, dusty, grassless look over the whole landscape. The entire valley is devoted to the growth of wheat and barley, with the exception of occasional stock- ranches which also appear devoid of life at this season, with the same old look, |
