MUSCATEL RAISINS. 



43 



is always reserved in the vineyard, free from plants, on 

 which to spread the grapes when gathered; and they 

 choose a spot where the soil is of the darkest colour, in 

 order to its keeping the full force of the sun's rays during 

 the day, and retaining the heat during the night. The 

 bunches are spread out separately on the ground, and 

 never allowed to press upon each other : — according to 

 Don Salvador they are only once turned over. At the 

 end of 15 days they are, in general, sufficiently dry. 

 This season was more unfortunate for the early commence- 

 ment of the rains than any season for many years, and 

 the crop was remarkably fine. It is Don Salvador's in- 

 tention, in future years, to have wooden toldos^ or awn- 

 ings, prepared to shelter the grapes, while drying, against 

 the rains, and also to cover them during the night. He 

 says that the drying of the grapes is so much retarded by 

 their being exposed to the dews during the night, that 

 when he has the means of covering them at night, he ex- 

 pects they will be dried in half the time usual at present. 

 Before the bunches are spread out, the small grapes are 

 picked out, as well as any which may happen to be in- 

 jured ; the small grapes are dried separately. I saw a 

 heap of them in Don Salvador's house, which had the ap- 

 pearance of very large currants. When the grapes are 

 turned, any spoiled ones are, or ought to be picked 

 out ; they have no particular rule for judging when they 

 are sufficiently dry, — it is learnt by experience. When 

 they happen to get rain while drying, the stalks become 

 black or rusty-looking, instead of being of a bright light 

 brown. According to Don Salvador, the district which 

 produces the Muscatel grape extends only two leagues 

 farther east ; that is, not more than three leagues in all 

 along the coast, and two leagues inwards. He says the 

 value of the land planted with it is about 3,000 rials, or 



