MUSCATEL RAISINS. 



45 



catel, but from a different grape — a very long grape, 

 called in the country Uva Larga. These are also gene- 

 rally packed in boxes, but sometimes in casks. Those 

 in boxes are also called hunch raisins; the others are 

 generally of an inferior quality, and separate from the 

 stalks. The Sun or Bloom raisins keep better than the 

 Muscatel, and for that reason, it is this description which 

 is usually sent to India. 3dly, the Lexia raisins, which 

 are packed in casks, or grass mats called frails. These 

 raisins are of an inferior kind, and require to be dipt 

 in a lye (Lexia) of wood ashes, with a little oil, before 

 drying. 



Muscatel raisins are worth, to the grower, from 30 to 

 40 rials a box, according to the season. This year as 

 much as 52 rials was given for some that, with the aid 

 of toldos^ had been preserved without having been 

 touched by the rain. When Muscatels are 40 rials, or 

 2 dollars a box of 25 lbs. Blooms are about 30 rials, and 

 Lexia only from 24 to 28 rials per quintal of 100 lbs. 

 Mr. Kirkpatrick says, that 12 English acres make 13 

 fanegas. According to this calculation, an acre will 

 produce, at 2i- lbs. to each stock, 1,760 lbs. ; which, at 

 40 rials the box, or 4d. a pound, are worth 7s. — at 

 30 rials, £22 an acre. From this must, however, be 

 deducted the expense of 70 boxes, at 4 rials each, which 

 amounts to £% 17s. 6d. Still it seems a most profitable 

 cultivation ; so much so, that I incline to think the 

 quantity is less than that estimated. The expenses of 

 cultivation cannot exceed £5 or £6 an acre. The follow- 

 ing accounts of the exportation of fruits from Malaga 

 were taken from detailed statements which had been 

 copied from the Custom House Cockets, and were kept 

 in the office of Mr. Kirkpatrick : — 



