The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-02
Growing Grapes for Raisins.

| NoNAuS hhN uu SuD-
ject of raisin-making and descriptive OF
the various varieties of grapes which are
suited for the purpose. The following
remarks upon the consumption of raisins
in the United States will enable the reader
to form an idea as to the future of the
| business.
The United States consumes more raj.
sins than any other country in the world,
taking about one-half the total Spanish
product. The Malaga crop in 1872 was
27,000,000 boxes, Of which the United
States received ,342, ,l04 boxes, England
3S9, 800, British Colonies 95, O24 France
23O,046. North of Europe, including
Russia, 72,788, and the West Indies and
South America 1902 boxes. Besides
the raisins exported from Malaga, cousid-
cradle quantities are shipped from Valen-
cia, Denia, and other Spanish sports, a
large portion of which comes to this coun-
try The United States is also a large
consumer of Zante currants, taking ne
inconsiderable portion of the product Of
Greece and the Ionian Islands. The ex-
ports from Cephalonia in 1873 amounted
to 24721 ,125 pounds, including A ,567 1872
pounds of Morea currants. The United
States received direct from Cephalonia
2,0S4 IA pounds, but this quantity rep
resents only small portion of the total
imports into the country, the largest part
of the supply coming by way of London,
Hamburg and Trieste. 1t is sufficiently
evident from these figures that the Cali
fornia raisin-producer has a market in his
own country that will take all he is ever
likely to produce. Enough has already
been accomplished to place the business
beyond the experimental stage. With q
climate similar to that of the great raisin
districts of Southern Spain, of which for
fruit drying there is none superior in the
world, and with fruitful soil and home
market, the business is bound to become a
leading industry.
Then follows description of the diff
ferent raisin grapes, the first mentioned
being Muscalel Gorda Blanco which has
been introduced into California by Mr..
W. B. West, of Stockton, who places this
variety at the head of the list. The es-
sentials Of first class raisin-grape are
large size, thin skin and small seeds.
The Gordo Blanco ful6lls all these condi-
tions, and the only fault that can be found
with it is, that it is not a very heavy bearer.
However, it is the favorite in Spain, and
produces the most expensive raisin made
in that country. Jas. Busby in his work
on the Spanish Vineyards, says of it {:
"This variety differs from the small
Muscat, by the great size of the stocks,
by its branches, which are also thicker,
and of a yellow red-like color. By its
berries, which are little gilded, and of
IL inches "a line is one-twelith of an inch
in length by 81 in thickness. This is the
grape from which are made the best NAL
aga raisins. 1t is also the favorite raisin-
grape in Australia, according to the work
entitled agriculture in South Australia" !"
published in Melborne, from whence cut
tings could doubtless be obtained in quan
titles.
All the authorities agree that the best
raisin-grapes belong to the Muscated fam
lily, which includes considerable number
of varieties, all resembling more or less
the Muscat of Alexandria. Another va
riety of this group, utilized quite exten-
sively for raisin- making in Spain, is the
IVA Larga, which was first brought to
this State, we believe, by Mr.. W. A.
Sanders, who considers it the best raisin-
grape. 1t is long white variety, of
which Busby writes as follows: "This
variety is also employed at Malaga and its
environs in making raisins. 1t is called
I.arga from its long shape, the berries
being 10 inches in length and only 6l
in thickness. 1t is tree bearer, and is
said to make good mixture with the
Pedro Ximedes for wine"
Mr., West, in an article published in
the Fresno E.rpositor, says "The Mala-
ga raisin has proved to be anexcellent bear
er, very sure to produce n crop. 1t is
sweet pulpy grape, of not very decided
favor. The raisins will not equal the
Muscatels in favor, but arc very good.
They can be produced at my place at
much less price that the former.
The Muscat of Alexandria is undoubt.
edly the best extensive cultivated raisin-
grape in the State at the present time,
and in an enumeration of varieties, there.
fore, it deserves more than passing notice.
The grape is too well known to require
description. 1t is of good size, pulpy, and
makes good favored raisin. The OBJ
jections urged against it are its large
seeds, and the thick skin, making it long
in curing, and its liability to blight in
setting. Mr.. West says it is poor bear
er with him, giving but four tons to the
acre, while in localities better suited to it
the yield is double that quantity.
The Cannon Hall Muscat is another
grape closely allied to the above that has
been used to some extent in this State
for the production of raisins. 1t is a
more vigorous grower, has large berries,
and is preferred by several growers to
the Muscat of Alexandria. Mr.. r. Miller
of Pleasant Valley, Solon county, last
season shipped several tons of good raisins
to this market made from this grape.
Fiber lagos was imported several years
ago, and has been extensively distributed
by B. N. Bugeby, of Folsom DIR. Chan
dler, of Sutter county, is one of the largest
growers Of this grape in the State, and is
reported to be curing this season 240 tons,
from which he expects to make so tons of
raisins. 1t possesses the advantages of
having delicate skin, few seeds, is easily
dried, has a good flavor, and is very pro-
ductive. On the other hand, its small
size units it for good table fruit. There
is little doubt, however, that it will con-
tinue to be favorite cooking raisin.
The White Malaga is grape that in
some respects well fitted for raisin making.
1t is of good size and the seeds are small
and few in number. Mr.. West writes of
it as follows; "The White Malaga is a
large loose growing grape, wonderfully pro-
ductive and makes fair raisin. l am
informed by reliable person that he has
grown ten tons of this grapc per acre.
In Provence south of France raisins
ara Droduced To n limited eytant from, t,yo