THE: RAISIN INDUSTRY. 89 



brought by the Moors from Africa, or possibly from Alexandria in 

 Egypt. The Gordo Blanco again appears to be a native Spanish 

 variety, especially adapted to the warmer region of Malaga or South- 

 ern Spain. The Gordo Blanco is the principal grape of Malaga; 

 the Muscat of Alexandria is the one grown in Valencia and Denia 

 and also in Smyrna in Asia Minor. 



In California the Gordo Blanco is found around Woodland in Yolo 

 county, throughout the San Joaquin valley, and in Fresno it is the favor- 

 ite and almost exclusive Muscat grape. The Muscat of Alexandria is 

 grown in Solano county and elsewhere in Northern California, while 

 it is the exclusive grape in Riverside, Redlands, Orange county and 

 El Cajon, and probably elsewhere in San Diego county or Southern 

 California generally. The Muscat of Alexandria was imported by 

 Colonel Agoston Haraszthy in 1852 from Malaga, and by D. M. Delmas 

 some thirty-eight years ago from France. 



Iluasco Muscat. This variety (pronounced Uasco) resembles very 

 much the Muscat of Alexandria, of which it is probably a seedling, 

 and was introduced into Chile by the Spaniards soon after the conquest. 

 According to Professor E. W. Hilgard, this variety sets better than the 

 Alexandria, and on that account deserves to be cultivated. It is 

 strange that no attempts have been made in this country to grow it on 

 a larger scale. The Huasco is undoubtedly one of the most interest- 

 ing grapes, and the fact that it produces the most expensive raisins in 

 the world should be a sufficient inducement to our California growers 

 to at least study the variety closely. I should think that El Cajon 

 valley would be the proper locality for it in this State. 



Other Varieties of Muscats. A variety of Muscatel resembling the 

 Gordo Blanco, but with more erect growth, is said to have been im- 

 ported by G. G. Briggs of Davisville, Solano county. I have seen it 

 growing in the vineyard of George A. Freeman of Fresno, but cannot 

 distinguish its berries from those of the Gordo Blanco. The growth 

 of the vine is more erect, and leaves the center of the vine rather 

 uncovered and exposed. I would decidedly prefer the Gordo Blanco. 

 A seedling of the Gordo Blanco -originated by the author is now 

 growing on the Floreal vineyard, owned by J. T. Goodman, near Fresno. 

 This variety promised a great deal the first season. I have no doubt 

 that, with some selection of berries and bunches, many new and valu- 

 able raisin grapes could be originated in this State, varieties which 

 would be especially adapted to our soil and climate. While our fruit- 

 growers have produced a number of new fruits of various kinds, we 

 have yet to hear of the first superior grape seedlings. According to 

 the Rural Press of May 5, 1877, C. T. Ward of Haywards, Alameda 

 county, raised some seedlings from Huasco seed, but what has become 

 of them I do not know. Haywards would not be likely to be a proper 

 place for raisin grapes, and even the best variety could not possibly 

 be a success there. 



J. T. Goodman of Fresno has a Muscatel vine in his vineyard which 

 ripens ten days earlier than the Gordo Blanco, but whether it is a 

 seedling is not known. It may prove a most valuable variety if 

 extensively grown. B. G. Stabler of Yuba City tells me that Ch. E. 



