Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-11-20
TRIUMPH OF OUR RA1s1N GROWERS.

An Associated Press dispatch this morn
ing, from New York, quotes the Commercial
Bulletin as saying that the reception of re-
cent shipments from California in that city
of California cured raisins was very cor
dial, and that the commission men are
much pleased with the quality of the fruit
It is added that it is there considered this
is really the first year for the placing of a
desirable quality of raisins from this sec
ton This is little surprising, since we
have shipped raisins of excellent quality
to the East for number of years, and for
a long time " London Layers" of Califor-
MIA in several of the Eastern markets
have enjoyed the reputation of being as
good as very much of the best of foreign
import. The Bulletin is reported as saying,
however, that in past years our endeavor
to make progress without experience led
to placing upon the New York market of
inferior goods, when compared with those
of Spanish growth. And this was SO
damaging to California that many people
regarded the raisins of this State as unfit
for that market, the odor, ap-
pearance and taste being especially
the objects of severe criticism. It
must be that some California
growers have heretofore placed upon the
New York market inferior grades, poorly
selected and negligently packed. In pop
ularizing raisins in a market, the grower
must remember that very great deal de-
ponds upon the appearance. We have
known more juicy, sweeter, finer and in
every way more palatable, small, dark
skinned raisins to be rejected by buyers, in
favor of the more attractive, large, blue,
fat and handsomely-appearing raisin,
though far Inferior to the former in tooth
someness-such is the effect of appearance
and packing. The Bulletin says that is ev-
ident our growers and shippers have taken
greater pains, and have employed improved
methods of curing and packing, with the
result of introducing class of goods that
has become a serious menace to the future
importation of Spanish raisins. When
that journal adds, however, that all that
now remains for us to put our product
upon par with the imported article, is a
ripe soil,' California growers are in the
dark as to what meaning is intended. Fol-.
so far as soil is concerned, California yields
the palm to no other for its adapta-
bility to raisin-grape growing, atop" of
which is a climate Of character so favor
able that we esteem it unsurpassed in all
essential points. However, it is crafty
ing to learn that the shipments from
California to New York for this season
have removed all material objections to
our product in that market. The news
should stimulate our growers to renewed
exertions to select and pack with an eye
single to the Eastern demand. No doubt
there has been carelessness in both selec-
ton and packing in fact, there has been,
we fear. but little of the former in very
many cases. The fruit will be graded
more circumspectly from season to season,
until the California raisin will not only
rank with but excel the best of foreign ex-
port There is now apparent no reason
why this should not be so. With soils
that may be selected, than which there are
no better, and ample in area, we have the
additional advantage in the interior val
leys and foothills of that dryness of atmos-
phere that renders it more fit for curing
processes and for packing to the very best
advantage. In fact, the raisin industry of
California is but upon the threshold of its
possibilities.