The Red Cloud chief., 1889-01-18
S
eae Three Principal! Ways OF Drying
GrS pes for the Market.

eae Three Principal! Ways OF Drying
Grapes for the Market.
Malaga, Valencia and Smyrna raisins
derive their names from the places
whence they come. OF these, the
Smyrna black raisins are the cheapest;
the Malaga being held in the highest
estimation and fetching fully a third
more than any other description OF
raisins.
The growth Of the vines in Spain is
different from those OF Italy. In An
dalnsiS they creep along the surface OF
the ground a. strawberries do. thus
gatherin. all the atmospheric heat,
'hc branches appear like roots. and the
grapes, though white. have IA golden
tiDgc. The vintage is very carefully
conducted. the fruit not all being
gathered az once, but the same ground
gone over three times, so that all
the grapes r properly ripe
when picked. As they are gathered
they are placed in baskets. and
carried, either in carts o. on the
backs ~ mules and donkeys, 10 the
place where they undergo the drying
process. IRE fruit, however, is ofteE
much injured In transit; and as no
broken grapes be properly dried,
the loss from THIS cause is considerable.
The grapes are prepared for the mar.
kct in there different ~ways-by simply
drying in the sun. by washing. and by
stcam-drying. In following the first
mentioned. whish is the general proc
ess in Malaga. divisions arc construct
ed of either brick or stone, In m in.
clincd position. exposed to the suns
rays. These divisions arc built in ut
one end with a triangle formed Of ma
sonry, and 30 arranged that tho sun
alwa.ys shines on their contents. Tho
interior OF these compartments Is
thicl,ly spread with fine gravel to alb
borb the heat. As soon rs tho
grapes arc gathered they are put into
these divisions. and arc fully cx-
posed To the intense heat Of the Anda-
lusian sun. II is stated by experienced
c%ultivatOrs that during tho month OF
August they attain a temperature OF q
hundred and forty degrees Fahrenheit.
While drying. the grapes which re-
main green arc carefully picked Out,
as they are spoiled; the others are
turned. each grape singly. so that the
proper uniformity N color il observed.
At night the fruit Is protected from tho
heavy dews or rain by stout canvas be-
ing stretched 0ver the tops Of tho
divisions. Some people use blankets
instead. Grapes take u longer time
drying in this manner than by tho
scalding plan. as then they are ready
In four days; but dried only by tho
suns heat. they take ten days. This
loss OF time. however. Is fully compcn-
by the economy OF the process.
Drying b. washing and drying by
arc inferior To the sun-drying
process. because they arc moro OK.
pcnsiyc. involving outlay IN buildings, |
furnaces and stcam-pipcs: and the
air. moreover. liable ~ tho
Of fermentation during their
transporiaiicn. i;csidcs, they ALWAYS
have Ia be dried in tho sun for "A cer-
tain time hcf>l, being ready 20 pack.
whatever plan IL pursued an curing
them other than the sun.dryinr
process. When the dry ing is thor.
accomplished by whatever plan
pursucd. the raisins. prior 70 being
for ciportatjon. require 10 10
carefully locked V.cr. and all those ,
and bruised ones removed. ~ q
irop Of moisture from such would very |
likely damage Y whole box. After this !
tho proper classification. BY no |
means nm easy Affair. ~ merchants and
'~ultisaiors differ. often very material.
y. on this subject.
Tho boxes nro ccncrally maio by
contract. The hes, a,c made from DR.
rood. which Is imported from POrtu-
al. Tho producer provides aud PACKS
hoac boxes. which Tho merchants fro
rcracs. employing women and
iris TAI P%ruforin this Office. The boxes
'rc generally divided into layers.
'our layers will ic contained In q
'holo box. representing. IL of full size.
= pounds of fruit: Tho total
with tho filled box being from
0 " - pounds.
BESIDES tho raisins already named.
iay he mentioned Suitanas. Muscatela,
bclSeicrc. Mocm or jar raisins.
nj IA ar Sells. The bcst kinds arc Z
aported in boxes and jan-such - !
aud Muscasels-whilc the In. !
sorts arc shipped In casks and ]
arsrls. trails and mats.-Goidcm Dsys .
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