THE RAISIN GRAPES. 



Introductory Notes. The raisin grapes might be divided into two 

 classes, proper and genuine, such as Muscats, Sultanas and Cur- 

 rants, and irregular or inferior raisin grapes, such as Malagas and 

 Feher Szagos. Now-a-days almost any kind of grapes are dried and 

 sometimes called raisins, but the proper name for them should be 

 dried grapes. With these we need not here busy ourselves, as with a 

 few exceptions they are of little value, and cannot be compared with 

 the regular raisin grapes, either as regards quality, demand or price. 



Muscatel or Gordo Blanco. This variety is the best type of the raisin 

 grape of Malaga. Its growth is low and spreading, with no upright 

 branches in the center. Its bunches are heavy, and, when perfect, \A 

 close and shouldered. Its berries are round and large, the greatest yO 

 circumference being at the center. A crease is often found at the 

 apex of the berry. The color is green, or, when fully ripe, amber 

 green or yellow. As compared with the Muscat of Alexandria, this 

 variety is distinguished, when perfect, by its low, depressed growth, 

 without any upright branches in the center of the vine; by a closer 

 bunch; by rounder berries, and by a thicker and firmer bloom. The 

 berries set better than those of the Muscat of Alexandria, although 

 both varieties suffer from the early stages of oidium or colure. The 

 Gordo Blanco is the choice raisin grape for the San Joaquin valley, 

 and for the interior generally. It is the raisin grape of Malaga in 

 Spain, where it is probable the variety originated. Importations of 

 this variety have been made to California at various times by A. 

 Haraszthy in 1861, and by W. S. Chapman in 1876. 



Muscat of Alexandria. The. growth of this variety is upright in 

 the center. Its clusters, even when^ perfect, are never close. Its ber- 

 ries are oblong and tapering, the^ largest circumference being near 

 the apex. The color when fully ripe is amber green or yellowish 

 green. The leaves of both varieties of Muscats are five-pointed, 

 light green, lighter below, and do not differ materially from each 

 other. Both Muscats are remarkable for their second and third 

 growths, and for the large second crop on the laterals. 



The Muscat of Alexandria, as compared with the Gordo Blanco, is 

 characterized by its oblong berries, and by its more upright branches 

 in the center of the vine. Its growth is more straggling than that 

 of the Gordo Blanco, and, planted side by side, the two varieties are 

 distinctly characteristic. The Muscat of Alexandria is the favorite 

 raisin grape in Southern California, where it seems eminently adapted. 

 I found no other Muscat in San Bernardino and San Diego counties. 

 The most magnificent bunches of this variety which I have ever seen 

 were grown there only a few miles from the ocean, bunches that 

 could not be surpassed, and which certainly were equal in weight to 



