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.