From: Krasna, Bessarabia
16 April 1931
Dear Staats-Anzeiger!
Although it is cold, stormy, or raining almost every day, we nevertheless had to pursue working the fields, because it is already fairly late in the season. That was also the reason for my long silence. Today, however, I will catch up with the neglected.
It has been raining continuously since yesterday evening. Since today is already Thursday, there probably will be little or no work at all accomplished. The farmers are already becoming indignant. May is supposed to show what April has done. With that, half of the seed is still in the granary, and the seed that was put in the ground three or four weeks ago has yet to sprout. The pasture too, could not develop in the least. The whole time we had frost at night, north winds, and very cold days. The sun appears only rarely. We have had more than enough moisture. So much, that almost all cellars are flooded. No wine barrels float around in them though as all are empty and stored in barns. The barrels most likely will remain empty for a long time. The hard frost in the winter of 1929 and 1930 destroyed most vines. Any remaining vines suffered damage in December last year by the heavy weight of ice, and will most likely produce only a few grapes. This part of the economy seems very bleak for us. It is well known that last year the Rumanian Chamber enacted a law which prohibits the planting of hybrid vines, and the pure kind, which is susceptible to the vine-louse. It is really expensive and we do not have money. Violation of the law draws a fine of 25 to 50 Lei per vine, and the plant will be destroyed. This law was absolutely necessary because the wine from the hybrid vine was only good for private use and not for the market. Shipping is bad for it. Generally it is only durable for one year. It usually starts spoiling with the onset of warmer weather the following year. The planting and the care are so simple that it can be grown at a low cost. Loose traders made good profit by mixing it with precious wine. This trick brought discredit to Rumanian wines, especially in foreign countries.
When we still had the pure and precious kinds, the wine industry brought in a nice amount of money. In the beginning, so did the hybrids, because three years after planting, it already produces the first wine. Those who switched to the hybrids immediately after the pure type had died off because of the vine-louse, already had after one year a considerable amount of wine and a good income, as the demand was great on the spot. However, this lasted only a short time, because everybody planted his own garden and had more than enough of the “Saiber” and “Taras” wines. No one wanted to buy it anymore and it could not be consumed privately, although many individuals did damage to their intestines. So, we did not have any benefit with this wine, but instead more harm, with the exception of those who drink without preference and cannot live at all without strong drinks. But like all good things belong to a golden middle, then this circumstance also would be more bearable if there would have been some wine left for us.
The people react indifferently to the current crisis of State Secretary. Although Titulescu is regarded as the most capable man in the country, one does not have especially high hopes with him coming to power. Even though one hopes for many improvements, it is a common belief that he has to come up with a lot of strength to maintain unity in the Cabinet, which consists of members from every party affiliation. Certainly his task will not be an easy one. But perhaps he is really the man who can do something about the current shortcomings. May God grant this!
The health conditions are very good at this time. All around no one is complaining about being sick; all are in good health and have the greatest zest for life. There are dire times with many, but then again the whole world is complaining. Time marches on gallantly, and with it also the circumstances. Should it not improve, then we will get used to that which seems hard for us. Should it sometime really get better, then we will be twice as happy – about as happy as we will be when warmer days set in after all this rain and cold weather.
17 April. – Today it is snowing like crazy. The snow, however, turns to water as soon as it hits the ground.
Hello to everyone,
Isidor Leinz