The Canadian Horticulturist. 



169 



The squash bug hibernates during the winter in a mature 

 state, and is therefore ready for its mischievous operations by 

 the time the melon and squash vines show themselves above 

 the ground ; and their rapid increase and terrible destructive- 

 ness are the vexation of every gardener. One of the best 

 methods of preventing their attacks is a tablespoonful of 

 kerosene incorporated with two quarts of gypsum (plaster 

 of Paris) and sprinkled on the vines. One application may 

 suflSce for the season, but it should be repeated if the bugs are 

 seen to return. 



MALACzA GRAPES. 



" The grapes that are sold in New York and other markets as Malaga 

 grapes," said a fruit dealer, " are really not Malaga grapes at all, but are a grape 

 that grows in the almost inaccessible mountain regions of Spain, in the district 

 of Almeria. The true Malaga grape is so tender and delicate a fruit that' it will 

 not stand shipment well, and even when it arrives here in good condition, it is 

 so perishable that unless quick sales are made the importer will have his labor 

 for his pains. Nearly all of the Malaga grape crop is made into raisins. The 

 white and pinkish-white grapes sold here as Malaga are a hardy fruit. The 

 region in which they are grown is wild and primitive, and the grapes are all 

 transported from the vineyards to Almeria on donkeys, a distance of fifty miles, 

 there being no roads to the hills. 



The country between Almeria and the vineyards is infested by wild beasts 

 and outlaws, and tourists have not yet ventured to include that part of Spain in 

 their wanderings. As the average grape crop of the district is 400,000 barrels of 

 forty pounds each, the task of carrying it all that distance on donkeys may be 

 imagined. The vineyards are all small holdings, and yield about five tons to 

 the acre. The usual price for the grapes on the wharf at Almeria is nine cents. 

 The packing in barrels is all done at the vineyard, the fine corkdust in which 

 the fruit is packed being backed in on the donkeys the same as the grapes are 

 brought out. The harvesting of this unique grape crop is done during August. 

 The vessels in which the grapes are shipped from Almeria cannot come in to 

 the wharves, but lie at anchor some distance out. The grapes are taken to the 

 vessels in row-boats of antique pattern and small capacity. The grapes begin 

 to reach New York about Oct. i. This market handles from 150,000 to 200,000 

 barrels of the fruit. It is bought by the local dealers from the importers at 

 auction sale. These grapes will keep well from the close of one season to the 

 opening of another. It is rare that the importers close out their holdings in 

 them before April. — Sun. 



