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.