502 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



blauee to one another, there is a most remarkable difference in the 

 quality of the fruit, and I do not wish to say here that this Olivette de 

 Vendemian that I have is probably the genuine Almeria grape, but, 

 nevertheless, it is very much superior grape to the Almeria, which has 

 been so generally grown in California, and I think if the development of 

 shipping grapes in sawdust in kegs containing them, and we find it 

 advisable to use other grapes outside of the Imperial which is being so 

 generally used now, that this new type of the Almeria, which is really 

 in my opinion an improved Almeria, will no doubt displace the variety 

 that has been generally grown in this State as the Almeria. 



Before I sit down I want to make a few further remarks in reference 

 to one subject which Mr. Swett touched upon in his paper, and that is 

 in reference to this convention taking some action in recommending 

 that some duty be placed on the imported Almeria grapes. I do not 

 know myself whether there is any duty on the imported Almeria, but I 

 do know that from the experience of last year and this year that there 

 is a great chance of developing the shipment of grapes in kegs in red- 

 wood sawdust and that business should be guarded, and not allowed to 

 be encroached upon. Mr. Nutting made the statement that the importa- 

 tion of Almeria grapes in cork dust packed in kegs was between four 

 hundred thousand and six hundred thousand kegs, while natural condi- 

 tions are from nine hundred thousand to one million kegs annually. The 

 Imperial grape has been found a most desirable grape for shipment in 

 this sawdust and there is no question but it will relieve much of the 

 congestion which we labor under at the present time from grapes which 

 are shipped in crates. This has well been exemplified this year by the 

 very profitable returns which growers have been receiving from the 

 Imperial grapes which they have shipped to the eastern market. Last 

 year the shipment of grapes packed in kegs of sawdust was in the neigh- 

 borhood of two cars. This year, on account of the most favorable com- 

 ments which were made on these two cars of grapes packed in sawdust, 

 the grapes going east packed in that way have amounted to twenty-five 

 carloads, and from the experience that was gained last year it is quite 

 evident that grapes packed in this sawdust will keep for at least three 

 months from the date of shipment, so you see the season for the distribu- 

 tion and disposal of these grapes amounts to quite a long period. 



Chairman Cook. The Committee on Resolutions will make a note 

 of this matter mentioned by Mr. Roeding. 



Mr. Schmidt. I wish, Mr. Roeding, you would tell us something 

 about the currant. 



Mr, Roeding. I think Mr. Schmidt is just as well able to make the 

 remarks in reference to the currant as I am. It seems very strange, 

 with the development of our recent industry, that the Zante currant has 

 not been more generally planted. You are well aware that the name 

 Zante currant has been applied to a grape, and is not a currant at all. 

 The true name of the Zante currant is really black currant grape, which 

 is grown generally in Greece. I have been interested for a number of 



