152 THE RAISIN INDUSTRY. 



As to the usefulness and future of dipped raisins, not much can be 

 said at present. Our importations of Valencia raisins, which are mostly 

 dipped, are considerable, and as long as this class of cooking raisins is 

 in demand, there is no good reason why we should not compete and 

 endeavor to supply the demand. We can produce them as well as 

 Spain can, and the only reason why we have not competed with Spain 

 so far is that sun-dried raisins are so readily produced here, that it has 

 not been to our advantage to produce anything else. There are, how- 

 ever, many places in our State which will grow Muscatel grapes of 

 good quality, but with too thick skins to make them proper for sun- 

 dried raisins. For all such localities the dipping process is to be recom- 

 mended, as it will enable the growers to produce marketable raisins, 

 and to profitably supply the demand for this variety of raisins now 

 imported to this country from abroad. In localities with early and 

 copious fall rains, the dipping process will enable the growers to finish 

 quickly before the rains set in. California dipped second-crop Musca- 

 tels and Sultanas have brought as high as seven cents per pound 

 wholesale. 



