190 



TRANSACTIONS OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



able ; that a few years like eighteen hundred and seventy-seven and 

 eighteen hundred and seventy-eight would bankrupt them. The 

 phylloxera has commenced its ravages there, and as the vineyards 

 are old and worn, most of them on the hillsides, we may soon expect 

 to hear of a decrease of product and consequent rise of price. We 

 may not be able to find a market in the Eastern and Middle States, 

 as they are more exacting in quality, but in the Southern and West- 

 ern States, and also in the Territories, our field is large. 



I will not make any estimates upon the profits of the business. 

 There are possibilities in the future beyond my foresight. Those 

 who have made raisins know better what the cost of production is. 

 The present railroad charges are one and a half cents per pound. I 

 see no reason why they cannot be sold in the Chicago market with a 

 profit to the producer. 



In order to show the magnitude of the raisin business, I will give 

 some statistics from official sources : 



EXPORTS OF RAISINS FROM MALAGA TO THE UNITED STATES. 



Duty 2% cents per pound. 



Duty 1 cent per pound. 



