40 THE RAISIN INDUSTRY. 



In the interior of California, north of Solano and Yolo counties, large 

 quantities of raisin grapes have been planted during the last few years, 

 both in the foothill valleys, out on the plains, and in the bottom lands 

 of the Sacramento, Yuba and Feather rivers, etc. Raisins of very good 

 quality have been produced in that part of the State for years in 

 limited quantities, but it is yet a question to what extent that section 

 can compete with the central and southern parts of the State. In Sut- 

 ter county around Yuba City the cultivation of a seedless raisin grape 

 is advancing rapidly, the raisins made from it being of excellent 

 quality and finding a ready market. 



Acreage and Crops. The quantity of raisin-vines planted cannot 

 be estimated correctly; but it is certain that at least sixty -five thousand 

 acres of Muscat vines are now set out in the State, including grapes in 

 bearing, as well as vines lately set out. 



California enjoys a climate peculiarly adapted to the culture and 

 curing of the raisin grape. The summers are warm and rainless, the 

 winters again moderately rainy. The interior is free from injurious 

 fogs and heavy dews, while the most southern coast is only visited 

 by warm fogs, which are not greatly harmful to the grapes. Irrigation 

 is practiced almost everywhere, except in El Cajon valley, and 

 in some of the northern districts of the State, but even there it 

 is no doubt that judicious irrigation would be beneficial and greatly 

 increase the crop. The demand for California raisins has kept pace 

 with the improvements in curing and packing, and has steadily 

 increased from year to year. What the future has in store only the 

 future can tell, but it is almost certain that first-class raisins will always 

 be in demand, while inferior grades may from time to time bring lower 

 prices. The ruling price of raisins in sweatboxes, as they may be 

 had from those growers who do not pack themselves, has been from four 

 to five cents per pound. Of late years, the tendency is developing to 

 pay according to quality, and from three to seven cents was the ruling 

 price for unpacked raisins in sweatboxes during last season (1889). 

 This practice will greatly promote the raisin industry and encourage 

 growers to grow large grapes and fine bunches, and to cure their raisins 

 well. It will also benefit the buyers, who will know what they pay 

 for, and who will be able to furnish better grades, and more of the best 

 grades than formerly, when good, bad and indifferent raisins brought 

 five cents per pound. 



The raisin crop of 1889 did not exceed one million boxes. Should 

 we venture upon a statement as to the distribution of the same among 

 the various counties or districts of the State, the following figures 

 would be found as near correct as it is possible to get them: 



Fresno district 475,000 twenty-pound boxes. 



Tulare 15,000 



Kern 4,000 



Yolo and Solano 120,000 



Scattering 25,000 



San Bernardino 265,000 



Orange and I^os Angeles 8,000 



SanDiego 75,ooo 



987,000 



