Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1883-09-13
the white corlntn Raiain.

At the recent Viticultural Convention
an interesting discussion took place on
the subject of the White Corinth seed
less grape for raisins. As our readers
are largely increasing the cultivation of
raisin grapes the HERALD will continue
to give the most valuable and reliable
information that can be obtained on that
subject. A full report Of the discussion
was given in the San Francisco Mer-
chant, from which we gather the follow
ing extracts
MIR. Blowers exhibited the first salts
factory sample of Corinthian raisins 1.-THE
currants Of commercel we have yet
seen. The variety was the white Cor
NTH, and they made sweet, fullsized,
light. colored currant, much cleaner and
free from the dirt and stones, which are
SO plentiful in the zante cnrrants.
Gustav Essen, of Fresno, exhibited at
the convention some magnificent. large
and well-filled lunches of White Cor
NTH grapes, and seedless, which, il
QIltOt WOulu ndfC nthuO u Suiidnt Vi
commerce equal to MI. Blowers sample.
The yield at Fresno was heavy, some
young vines giving forty-tive pounds,
which, at GAO vines to the acre, would
be fourteen tons Of grapes. But at six
or eight tons to the acre the profit of
making currants would be very large.
Our wholesale grocers do not seem yet
to have awakened to the Importance OF
what the viticulturists are doing and the
effect that viticulture will have on their
business. They think of viticulture in
its contracted sense as having to do
with wines and brandies, and yet there
is every reason to suppose that the raj
sin, and possibly the currant, produc-
ton of some leading viticultural coun-
ties will, in few years, far excel the
production Of wine and spirits. Our
leading grocers ought to have time to
examine these exhibits and advise with
the makers how they could produce the
most salable articles. But our raisin
makers are much to blame. Colonies
whose success depends largely on raj
sins were too apathetic or too conceited
to send exhibits of their products to this.
convention, and we noticed the same
Indifference on the part of Riverside
and one or two other colonies to the Los
Angeles Convention. Indeed, we have
an opinion that Riverside relies more on
selling land at fabulous prices than max
ing money by improving their methods
Of making raisins.
The result of these enquiries about
the currants ought to stimulate our vine
yard men to plant White Corinth in
suitable localities for currant purposes.
In new and untried districts they must,
however, move with caution, as though
they succeed in maintaining their seed
less character in Fresno and Yolo, in
other districts they may regain their vi
tally and generate seed. Should they
do so we have no experience of their
value as wine grapes.
These extracts are very suggestive
and should be well considered. South
ern California is soon to he one Of the
greatest raisin producing countries in
the world, and the best grape is the
kind we are after. The Sultana bears
well here and makes lovely seedless
raisin improperly called currant; but if
the White Corinth is better we want to
know it. viii some of the readers of
the HERALD who have tried both varie-
ties give the result of their experience,
as a.matter Of important public INTEREST,"
The care of the seedless raisin is much
less than that Of the other kind.
in curing and packing, and will be in that
respect much more profitable. Besides,
these little raisins dry very quickly and
get out of the way of the early rains,
thing which the Muscat does not always
accomplish. This subject demands the
most serious attention.