564 Journal of the Department of A(iRi( ulture. — Dec, 1922. 



varieties. Twenty-seven different varieties were exported to test their 

 travelling qualities, and a full report was forwarded to the Journal 

 (published September, 1922), with remarks concerning the growth, 

 etc., of each variety. Dried currants were made from the Cape 

 currant and the Zante currant, and a sample of each submitted to 

 Mr. Cartwright, a recognized authority on dried fruits, who made the 

 following remarks: — 



So far as the quality goes theie U little to choose between them either in appear- 

 ance or (flavour. The South African fruit is somewhat bolder, but either would be 

 equally saleable. A few of the berries in the South African sample are unusually large 

 from a confectioner's point of view, being almost as big as Sultanas, and these would 

 be better eliminated. 



Over a thousand boxes of grapes were sent to the Johannesburg 

 market and realized satisfactory prices, averaging 3d. per lb. net. 

 This proves that good fruit well packed can be sold at satisfactory 

 prices on some df our local markets. 



Large numbers of viue-cuttings were again distributed all over 

 the Union. Grapes and wines were exhibited at the Paarl Agricul- 

 tural Show, but owing to the manager being unwell the exhibition 

 at Rosebank had to be cancelled. 



The wines of the station were of good quality, and, although 

 wine was generally almost unsaleable, were disposed of at the 

 maximum price laid down by the Co-operative Wine Farmers' 

 Association. Large numbers of the public visit the station from time 

 to time to study the different varieties of grapes, systems of pruning, 

 trellising, etc. The total revenue of the station was £388, and the 

 expenditure £331, exclusive of manager's salary. 



5. Estimated Production. — The 1922 crop is estimated not to 

 exceed 105,000 leaguers as against 140,000 in 1921. This shortage 

 can be attributed to a smaller crop all round and to the amount of 

 raisins produced, A new feature last season was the turning of wine- 

 grapes into raisins. The raisins made from wine-grapes are inferior 

 to those made 'from recognized raisin grapes. These are exported to 

 America, where the working classes consume large quantities of raisins 

 if procurable at reasonable prices. Reports from America state that 

 the raisins are fetching from 5d. to 7d. per lb. This leaves a small 

 margin for the producer here, yet it pays better than making wine 

 for £3 per leaguer. Of the estimated crop of 105,000 leaguers only 

 20,000 have actually been sold to the wine merchants; so that the 

 rest will have to be declared surplus. The wine industry is at present 

 in a very bad state indeed. There seems to be an optimistic feeling 

 that next year there will be an improvement. 



6. Plantings'. — On account of the bad state of the wine market, 

 plantings have not been very extensive with the wine-making varieties 

 and especially the white varieties. Owing to rumours tliat there may 

 be a demand for hermitage raisins in future this grape is still planted 

 to a (certain extent. Table grajjcs and especially exj)ort varieties, 

 are still planted extensively. Grafted vines of these varieties fetched 

 good prices and the market is practically empty, whereas many vines 

 are still offered of the wine-making varieties. 



7. Export of Grapes. — This branch of the industry is exi)anding 

 rapidly. Judging by the amount of plantings it can confidently be 

 stated that grape export is going to be a very big concern in the 

 near future. 



