228 AMEKICA^ GRAPE GROWING 



CHAPTER XLVII. 



RAISIN" MAKING. 



As remarked before, we have but few varieties of 

 grapes with the qualities for making fine raisins. Of 

 those with large berries there are but two : the Muscat 

 of Alexandria, or Muscatelle Gordo Blanco, and the 

 Malaga. Authorities are still in doubt whether the 

 Muscat or Muscatelle, and Gordo Blanco are identical. 

 It is claimed by some that the Muscatelle has a rounder 

 and sweeter berry, sets better, and that the berries are 

 more uniform in size. I do not claim to be an authority 

 in this matter, but leave it as it stands, and refer the 

 readers to the very elaborate work of Prof. Gu stave 

 Eisen on the Raisin Industry of California. The Mal- 

 aga also has a large berry, but without the musky flavor 

 of the Muscat. The latter is, however, the leading vari- 

 ety, from which all the largest and most showy raisins 

 are made, the musky flavor being rather an attraction to 

 most palates. Fresno is the banner county of the raisin 

 industry, where immense vineyards of raisin grapes have 

 been planted within recent years, some parties planting 

 as many as two to four hundred acres in a single season. 

 While Fresno is the leading county, a good many raisin 

 grapes are grown in Tulare, Kern, San Diego, Ventura 

 and Yolo counties, while Yuba and Sutter have more or 

 less. As it is claimed that an average crop is from 

 eight to ten tons per acre, it is difficult to foresee what 

 will be the outcome of this rapid rush into an industry 

 which has scarcely become established or organized. 

 There is reason for grave fears of overproduction and 

 ruinously low prices. For the last two years they have, 

 fortunately perhaps, had only partial crops, yet the 

 market is already glutted. Should all the young vine- 



