The record-union., 1893-07-12

California raisins now compete with
the choicest foreign importations, even
driving them out of American markets.
This may be ascribed to better methods
of cultivating, grading, drying and pack
ing. Fresno is the banner county, lead
ing all others. but Tulare, Kern, MERGED,
San Diego. Stanislaus, Yolo, Suffer and
1uba all grow raisin grapes. George
West, in his admirable report as Com
missioner for the San Joaquin district,
justly sounds note of warning against
the over-production which must almost
inevitably, result from such indiscrimi-
nate planting of the last few years. He
estimates the area in vineyards in four
counties in 1891 at g., 474 acres, of which
6,044 are in wine grapes, and 56,43O in
raisin grapes. A very conservative estl-
mate places the product of the district, In
four years. time, ending in 1895, at three
tons per acre, or 5,600,O00 twenty-pound
boxes of raisins. He estimates the acre
age outside of his district at 10000 acres.
These will produce, when in full bearing,
100000 boxes more, making a total for
the State of 100000 boxes from the
vines now planted. TO this may be
added fully 1900 acres planted last year,
which may safely be said to counterbal-
ance any damage from poor soils, Ana
helm disease, and other causes. de con-
tlnues: 1.-The consumption Of ralslns in
America in 1890 was 3,245,7l boxes.
From these statistics it will be gathered
that the total consumption of raisins in
America at the present time is about
3,250,000, including dried grapes. The
yield of the vineyards in California now
planted will, at the most conservative
estimate, be double that amount"
The amount of raisins used in this coun-
try increased only 100000 boxes from the
year 1884 to 1890. Allowing for a pro-
pOrtionate increase in the future, the con-
sumption of America, when the Caliior-
mia vineyards are in bearing, may be
placed at 100000 boxes. From these
estimates we may place the California
product of 1895 at 600, 900 boxes, and the
American consumption at 100000 boxes.
With these facts in view, is IL not well
for those who now contemplate planting
raisin vineyards to pause and consider
and study well the future of the industry?
1t is evident that the market must be re-
lieved III some way by expectation, or
the consumption increased by a reduc-
ton in price, which will place the raisinS
OF California on tho market as a staple
article of food. The shipment of the fresh
iruit to some of the Eastern markets
to some extent. ltis the belief of many
that the relief will come from increased
consumption. RalslnS, as used now, are
a luxury, and are not found upon the
tables OF the poor. AS luxury the con-
sumption viii not increase in any ratio
much in excess Of the increase from 1884
to 1890, mentioned above, as a fall or rise
of two or three cents per pound would
not in any way affect the consumption of
raisins among the people who are now
using them.
Raisins must be placed before the
poorer classes as staple article OF food,
at a low price. AS food, nothing could
be- more desirable than raisin or dried
grape. There is a small profit in growing
raiSins at 3 cents per pound, Stemmed
ana put up in sacks ready for market.
This would put the raisins of California
before the people of the East at price
lower than any other dried fruit, and no
other fruit is so valuable as food. When
the raIsins of California are thus intro
duced, there can be no doubt but the con-
sumption Will be wonderfully increased,
but to what extent remains TO be seen.
This is point which every man now
planting a raisin vineyard should care
fully consider. In any event, it will take
time to develop this market. With crop
OF 100000 boxes, 100000 of which we
count as consumed, we have surplus of
5000, 900 boxes, or $500 carloads, to dis
pose of in 1890. No grower in planting
vineyards expects to average less than
five tons per acre, and if this is realized,
the surplus of 1879 Will be 5000 carloads.
These goods will come into competition
with low grade Valencia raisns. The
tariff, of course, cuts most important
figure in the future of this industry.
Should it be reduced, the result can but
be disastrous.
1t Is common assertion that we have
the world q M rl
but this claim is disputed. We could
possibly market a few fancy goods in
England, but the quantity would not be
in any way perceptible in the general
market. 1t must be remembered that
when foreign raisins are driven out of
America they must find q market some
where else, and, if put upon the market
in England, which is already supplied,
heavy tall in prices must result, which
would make it impossible for our grow
ers to compete with them. Further
more. no other country of Europe, ex-
cept Great Britain, consumes any guam
tity of raisius. Prices for raisins in Cali
fornia for the next few years will proba-
bly, be good. As long as prices are kept
up planting will continue. What the re-
suit OF this indiscriminate heavy plant
ing Will DO remains to be seen, and it
must be remembered by those who are
now planting that every 10000 additional
=
dtional 1000 00J boxes of raisins to be
placed on the market.
have thus largely drawn from Mr..
Vests report, because he has studied the
situation closely, Is very clear headed
and not blinded by enthusiasm. Since
his report was first made in 1891, plant
ings have gone on as great as ever. If
this season had proved propitious TO the
grower, there would be glut in the mar
ket now. But, perhaps fortunately for
the industry, the first crop suffered
severely from couture, especially in
Fresno County, and the quantity fell far
behind what was expected. That the
next abundant crop must bring product
so unwieldy that a great drop in prices
must follow, is easily to be predicted
What can be done then with the second
crop. which is often nearly as heavy as
the first in the Muscat, is hard to tell. 1t
is generally much lighter in sugar than
the first, and the flavor is too pronounced
to be at once acceptable, either in wine or
brandy. 1t will take some time to get the
consumers fully accustomed to it, and
during that time no great quantities will
be demanded. Grape syrup may be man
ufactured, TO a certain extent, and is GER
tliuiy very agreeable product, which
ought to find place in every household,
in place of sorghum syrup and moiasSes.
But il will also take time to introduce
this, and make the people accustomed to
Use il generally. 1t has also been sug-
pested to make vinegar from the second
crop. as there seems to be a lively de-
mand for wine vinegar in the East.
especially for medical purposes, at good
prices. Marketing the green grapes may
also afford a temporary relief. But even
here the Muscat grape, although relished
by many, soon clogs on the palate, as it is
extremely sweet, being more like con-
lection than a fruit, ana OF very pro-