Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1889-01-08
PREPARING RAISlNS.



Malagn, Valencia and Smyrna raisins
derive their names from the places
whence they come. or these, the
Smyrna black raisins are the cheapest;
the Malaga being held in the highest
estimation and fetching fully third
more than any other description OF
raisins.
The growth OF the vines in Spain is
different from those of Italy. In An
dalusia they creep along the surface OF
the ground rs Strawberries do, thus
gathering all the atmospheric heat;
the branches appear like roots, and the
grapes, though white, have golden
tinge The vintage is very carefully
conducted, the fruit not all being
gathered at once, but the same ground
gone over three times, so that-all
the grapes arc properly ripe
when picked. As they are gathered
they are placed in baskets, and
carried, either in carts or on the
backs Of mules and donkeys. TO the
place whore they undergo the drying
process. The fruit, however, is often
much injured in transit; and as no
broken grapes can be properly dried,
the loss from this cause is considerable.
The grapes are prepared for the mar
ket in there different ways-by simply
drying in the sun, by washing, and by
steam-drying. In following the first
mentioned, which Is the general proc
ess in Malaga, divisions are construct
cd of either brick or stone, in an in
clined position, exposed TO the suns
rays. These divisions are built in Mt
one end with n triangle formed of ma
sonry, and so arranged that the sun
always shines on their contents. The
interior OF these compartments is
thickly spread with fine gravel to ab-
sorb the heat As soon as the
grapes are gathered they are put into
these divisions, and are fully ex-
posed to the intense heat of the Anda-
lusian sun. ltis stated by experienced
cultivators that during the month Of
August they attain n temperature Of n
hundred and forty degrees Fahrenheit.
While drying, the grapes which re-
main green are carefully picked out,
as they are spoiled; the others are
turned, each grape singly. so that the
proper uniformity OF color is observed.
At night the fruit is protected from the
heavy dews ofbain by stout canvas be-
ing stretched over the tops of the
divisions. Some people use blankets
instead. Grapes take longer time
drying In this mnnner than by the
scalding plan. as then they are ready
in four days; but dried only by the
suns heat, they take ten days. This
loss Of time, however, is fully compen-
sated by tho economy OF the process.
Dying by washing and dying by
steam are inferior TO the sun-drying
process. because they are more ex-
pensiye, involving outlay In buildings,
furnaces and stean-pipcs; and the
raisins are, moreover. liable TO the
danger OF fermentation during their
Besides, they always
have to be dried in the sun for GER
tain time before being ready to pack,
whatever plan Is pursued in curing
them other. than the sun-drying
process. When the drying is thor
oughly accomplished by whatever plan
pursued, the raisins, prior to being
packed for expectation, require to be
carefully looked over, and all those
broken and bruised ones removed, as a
drop OF moisture from such would very
likely damage whole box. After this
comes the proper classification. by no
means an easy affair, as merchants and
rultivators differ, often very material
Iy, on this subject.
The boxes are generally made by |
contract. The best are made from fir
wood, which is imported from Portu-
gal. The producer provides and packs
these boxes, which the merchants fire.
luently repacls. employing women and
girls to preform this office. The boxes
lre generally divided into layers.
Four layers will be contained in a
whole box, representing, II of full size,
about % pounds Of fruit; the total
weight with the filed box being from
70 to 20 pounds. EEw
Besides the raisins already named,
may be mentioned Sultanas, Muscatels,
Lipari, Belvedere, Bloom or jar raisins,
aud sun or Soils. The best kinds are
imported in boxes and jars-such as
Malagas and Muscatels the in-
erior sorts are shipped in casks and
,arrels, trails and mats. Golden Days.