California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences, Volume 15, Number 3, 15 March 1861 — Residence of General Vallejo. [ARTICLE]

Residence of General Vallejo.

Wr paid a visit lo the Vineyard, (iardetn, and Wlrte-vnnlt, nf the Oencml, during the present week. The Hardens and Vineyard, as well ns the Orchard, arc now nil under the charge of Mr. Glofinarl, and although he has but little help, he keeps them in must excellent order.

About 10,000 rooted foreign Qrape-ViSCI hare been planted this year, and 70,1i0n cuttings of tbe California Grape, We learn In foil corroboration of our own views, that the wine of the lastycar was much better than that of the year before, the iMi ssive irrigation having been abandoned; the present year no irrigation, but cultivation instead.

There was one Bacrcd spot to which we repaired, the "family burial-ground," a quiet yet beautiful place on the slope, inclosed by v neat paling; within were six graves : Five children of Gen. Vallejo, and the nshes of MHrtin F.. Cook. The graves were covered with vases of llowcrs, stntuettcs, nnd trailing plants, all nent, beautiful and appropriate. It was indeed a sacred spot, and such should always hi the Family scpulcher, and in the garden of flowers too. We honor those who honor tin* dead and guard their resting place.

The Fruit trees were giving great promise ; pear, plum and cherry, full of fruit spurs and just opening: the peach trees looked like pyramids of pink Ross, cones of flowers without leaf or touch of green, here and th re n cone of white flowers ; tbe while peach. We have never seen such a show of peach blossoms.

We found the Wine vaults very interesting. We were conducted to them by Dr. Futire, who ns an experienced wine-maker litis charge of them, aud his tnste is of no ordinary kind. The rooms or vaults are admirably arranged in an adobe building, tb* one originally the barracks, etc., of which we have spoken, with very thick walls, nnd now plastered inside so as to be clean ; yet dark nnd cool. Light can be admitted ns wanted. We had an opportunity to taste the red wine of '58, '59, nnd '60, nnd ns "good wine needs no bush," so these wines need no praise. They will sell without it, for thej ure pure nnd good. The while wine of '5H was extra. We must record a fact, however, i. c.. the wine of 'GO was much better than '60, and this the Doctor admits, for he snys thnt too much irrigation injured the vines, the fruit was not ripened well and was wanting in saccharine juice, and did not and never w ill make so good wine ns when not irrigated. The Doctor snys there will be no irrigation to the vines in '01 ; so we can look for some extra wine. Send it along Doctor, we w ill test it.

Gen. Valkjo's vineyard made 8000 gallons in '99, Kiitlo in tio, and will make 13,000 in '61. We were shown the brandy ; it was very superior mid pure. The arrangement! of the cellars, the neatness nnd order, the perfect sweetness of the atmosphere, oblige us to speak in terms of praise. We saw some line butts that w ill hold 500 gallons each ; the Doctor snys he will fill ten such with one kind of wine this year. We noticed the winepress, the distilling apparatus, etc., nil in clean good order (in some sections of the State during summer these implements ure left iv bad order).

We could not but notice the (lall-ery of Pictures in the Hall nnd over the doors of the Wine-Vaults, maidens with baskets of Fruit; maidens with clusters and nprons of (Jrapes ; vintners gathering Grapes ; Fruit-pieces ; and several convivinlpieccs, all emblematic of tbe Vine, from the Grape on it to the Wine made from it.

We recommend all who are interested in the Vine nnd Wine-making, when they visit Sonoma, that they call on Dr. Fanre, who will make their visit interesting.