AND WINE MAKING. 231 



being a raisin grower myself, I am unable to decide who 

 is right, but most of the raisins so far have been pro- 

 duced under a system of irrigation. Judging from other 

 fruits, I am inclined to the latter opinion ; although 

 irrigation may produce more pounds, I would suppose 

 quality to be with the non-irrigated article. 



The Sultana and Thompson's Seedless belong to an 

 entirely different class of grapes, and require different 

 treatment. The vines are strong growers, and require 

 long pruning and high stakes to produce well, but under 

 this treatment they are immense bearers, as single vines 

 have been known to produce over one hundred pounds. 

 They have the further advantage of drying much more 

 quickly and easily, having much smaller berries and 

 loose bunches. They are also much more delicate, with 

 a pure flavor, and a slight mingling of acidity, which 

 makes them much more sprightly. They are therefore 

 admirably suitable for cooking purposes, especially as 

 they have thin skins and no seeds. As they are earlier 

 than the Muscat, and will dry in half the time, they 

 may be grown further north than that variety can be 

 expected to succeed. Furthermore, they make an excel- 

 lent, delicate white wine, and are delightful as table 

 fruit, while the Muscat wine and fruit are too feline to 

 suit all palates. On the whole they are decidedly pref- 

 erable, at least for Northern localities ; and of the two, 

 judging from present experience, the Thompson is the 

 finest and most productive. The little seedless raisins 

 made from these varieties are stemmed, when dry, and 

 packed loosely, either in small sacks or pressed into neat 

 boxes for the trade. If it were not for the American 

 propensity for "big things," I would predict larger and 

 more profitable sales for them as soon as they become 

 better known, than for the Muscat raisins. The little 

 white and black grapes of Zante and Corinth, of which 

 the currants of commerce are made ? have not touncl 



