30 THE RAISIN INDUSTRY. 



Of this crop the United States imported as follows (the freight to 

 New York in 1886 ranging from iys. 6d. to 203. per ton, gross): 1883, 

 13,895 tons; 1884, I0 > 1 75 tons J l8 85, 8,283 tons; 1886, 8,755 tons. 



In the United States, the consumption of currants has increased 

 largely during the last twenty-five years. In 1874, we imported 

 14,141,797 pounds of currants; but in 1888 the importations had 

 increased to 30,636,424 pounds, valued at $1,176,532. The duty is now 

 one cent per pound in this country; while in England it is seven shil- 

 lings per hundred pounds. 



The currants exported to the United States are known as Provincial 

 currants or American staple, and are not considered the best quality ; 

 they are grown principally in Trifylla and Pylia and are shipped from 

 the ports Zante and Patras. Some come also from Vostizza, Catacolo, 

 Kalamata, Nauplia and Cephalonia. The Kalamata currants are in- 

 ferior and are mostly exported to France for brandy and wine making. 

 The choicest currants are those grown in Zante, and there known as 

 " Cascalina." They go mostly to England, while the other products 

 of the islands go to Belgium, Holland and Northern Germany. 



Currants in California. California has so far not cut any figure as 

 a currant-producing country, not because the currants will not grow 

 here, but because no one has ever seriously engaged in their culture. 

 Currant" grapevines are scattered all over the State; but, to our knowl- 

 edge, no plantations are larger than an acre or two. In Fresno, a few 

 acres of currants are found in the Mirabelle Vineyard east of town, 

 and a few hundred vines are also grown on the Raisina Vineyard in the 

 Central Colony. Outside of these we know of only scattered vines. 

 These currants are all of the white variety, which is considered inferior 

 to the black currant of Zante and the mainland of Greece. When 

 dried, they produce a most beautiful semi-transparent raisin, entirely 

 seedless, with a very thin skin and of very fine flavor. The yield, 

 however, has from some cause or other not been equal to expectations, 

 and, the price of currants being lower than that of other raisins, the 

 former has not been considered as profitable as the Muscatels. Until 

 we import the true black currant from Zante and find the most 

 suitable locality to grow them, it is not likely that currant culture will 

 make much headway in this country. We have, however, no doubt 

 that, with our various climates, many places will be found in California 

 where the currant will yield enough to pay, provided our raisinmen 

 will be satisfied with a reasonable profit. 



SMYRNA RAISINS. 



Districts in Smyrna : Their Extent and Climate. The port of 

 Smyrna, so famous for its dried figs, is ^hardly less renowned for the 

 immense quantity of raisins and dried grapes of different kinds which 

 are shipped from there to all parts of the world. While Smyrna figs 

 are better known than Smyrna raisins, the latter are by far the most 

 important industry. Thus from _i88o to 1881 the raisin crop exported 

 from Smyrna was valued at $4,602,388; while the value of the fig crop 

 did not exceed $1,646,998, or about three million dollars less than the 

 former. Since that time the raisin trade has yet further increased, 



