Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry 
WM. A. TAYLOR, Chief 

Washington, D. C. vV ' March 17, 1916 

f 
THE RAISIN INDUSTRY.' 
By Grorce C. Husmann, Pomologist in Charge of Viticultural Investigations, 
Office of Horticultural and Pomological Investigations. 
CONTENTS. 
Page. - Page 
Origin and growth of the industry.......-.-- 1 | Climatic conditions in the raisin belt...-...-- 11 
Some fluctuations in the industry........--- 3 | Harvesting and preparing the crop.......--- 11 
Raisin-vineyvardisoilese.’ 222-525 -asehlsc- 5 | Dipping and scalding raisins........--..-..- 12 
Preparation ol soilsseeed saes- -e a- 2 = es = Diese kim garaisinS: 2k so. Fok cee le ett ora veer 13 
Pruning methods in raisin vineyards........ Gele@lassesloliraisinse se. 2eone a= ene ee er et eae 13 
IRR AA CIO WES: Dans aaa Gooeene sueroneeseen oe Stil Seed ederaisinsit: 2. . Siento ates sate 14 
ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY. 
- With the exception of very limited quantities produced in Ari- 
zona, Utah, and New Mexico, all the raisins grown in the United 
States are produced in California. 
The first introduction of raisin varieties into California was by 
Col. Agostin Haraszthy. In 1851. he grew muscatels from the seed 
of imported raisins. On March 25, 1851, he imported the Alexandria 
(Muscat of Alewandria) and in 1861 the Gordo Blanco (muscatel) 
and Sultana from Spain and the White Corinth and Red Corinth 
from the Crimea. Another importation of Muscat of Alexandria 
was made by A. Delmas in 1855 and planted near San Jose, Cal. The 
first raisins appear to have been produced in the San Bernardino 
Valley, but the industry soon spread northward. G. G. Briggs, of 
Davisville, imported muscatel grapes from Spain, while R. G. 
Blowers, of Woodland, Cal., started a raisin vineyard of Gordo 
Blanco (muscatel) in 1863 with cuttings received from Col. Har- 
aszthy. The Briggs and Blowers vineyards were the first in the 
1 This bulletin has been prepared for the purpose of answering questions relative to the 
raisin industry of the United States. ‘The pruning, training, cultural methods, and varie- 
ties suitable for raisin purposes, as well as the methods of harvesting and drying the 
grapes and the curing and processing of the raisins, are described. 
18856°—Bull. 349—16 
