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.