Category: History - American

The Raisin Industry A practical treatise on the raisin grapes, their history, culture and curing

Of late years the raisin industry has been prominently before the horticulturists of California. Many people now make their living and acquire wealth by the cultivation of the raisin grapes, and many are now studying the methods of cultivation, pruning, curing and packing whil...

Chapters

20. Part 20

This turning, however, requires some little knack, so as not to drop any raisins on the ground. The trays may be turned either the short or the long way. If the long way, one tr...

22. Part 22

_Packing Frames or Packing Trays._--These are of two kinds, according to the method of packing. For the top-up method, wooden frames large enough to hold five pounds of raisins...

18. Part 18

At the age of six years, or when the vine is in full bearing, no more spurs should be added, as the vine has then attained a mature age, and the yield will increase independentl...

26. Part 26

Some of the best-paying and largest vineyards are found east of Fresno City. From the very outskirts of the city we pass through raisin vineyards, very few fields being planted...

15. Part 15

When the vineyards are threatened by the invasion of the army-worms, or by the striped _Deilephila_ caterpillar, the best remedy consists in trenching. A narrow trench, say one...

10. Part 10

While the spring frosts are injurious to the grapes, winter frosts are on the other hand most beneficial, if not necessary to a continued raisin cult. The raisin grape must have...

21. Part 21

But as this style of dryer may be adapted to raisins, I will give a few hints at its construction. The heating apparatus consists of a large iron drum, or radiator, seventeen an...

8. Part 8

_The Vineyards._--The variety used for raisins is nearly entirely the Muscat of Alexandria, although several vineyardists call these grapes incorrectly the Gordo Blanco. I saw n...

12. Part 12

In California the tendency is now to irrigate wherever water can be had, and wherever it is profitable to procure it. In Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties, raisin grapes could no...

17. Part 17

_Points to be Observed in Grafting._--The main object in grafting is to properly join the scions and the stock. The point of junction should be the cambium layer, or what is com...

4. Part 4

_Export and Production._--Although the raisin industry had long existed in the province of Valencia, it was only in late years that it assumed an importance. They were already k...

13. Part 13

Subirrigation and seepage combined make the most perfect irrigation for a raisin vineyard, with advantages that can in no other way be attained: absence of distribution ditches,...

28. Part 28

The vast majority of the plantations consist of orange groves. The color of the trees is splendid, every leaf being bright and shining, and there is no sign of smut or scale. Th...

14. Part 14

The later form, the powdery mildew, and the form which has given this mildew its name, appears later in the season, when the grapes are half grown or more. It then takes the sha...

23. Part 23

_Grading and Weighing._--The next step after the raisins have been equalized is to remove them to the grading tables. This should not be done by dumping the contents of a sweatb...

16. Part 16

When the sheep’s-foot is used in planting, the butt end of the cutting is inserted in the forked end of this tool, and this explains why it is necessary to have as little wood a...

6. Part 6

_Lipari and Belvidere._--Of the Mediterranean countries, Italy produces the smallest quantity of raisins. We cannot imagine this to be on account of unsuitable soil and climate,...

5. Part 5

_Consumption and Production._--The importation of currants to England was, at the end of the last century, about 3,600 tons. In 1832 this had risen to 7,135 tons, in 1864 to 37,...

11. Part 11

As to the nature of the hardpan, a few remarks may prove of interest. The hardpan can best be compared to a stalactite formation similar to those found in various caves. It has...

19. Part 19

_Time of Ripening._--Varying with different localities and seasons, the Muscat grape ripens in California between the 10th of August and the 30th of September. The earliest poin...

25. Part 25

Leveling land for irrigation, according to the quality of the land. Leveling the land in from one-half to three-quarter acre checks, including small ditches, etc., can be done f...

3. Part 3

_Labor._--The labor in Malaga is the most expensive in Spain, the best laborer being paid forty cents per day, while in Denia the labor is obtained for fifteen cents only; but i...

9. Part 9

_The Vines and the Vineyard._--In planting, cuttings are generally used, not because they are most preferred, but because good rooted vines cannot be obtained. The distance to,...

2. Part 2

The finest or at least the most expensive brand of raisins made is the _Dehesa_ raisin of Malaga. They are produced from the Muscatel variety and the name they bear has an inter...

27. Part 27

At Oceanside we meet the first of the boom towns, one of those that sprang up for pleasure and profit, towns of magnificent villas, broad streets and avenues, lined with infant...

7. Part 7

_Placer County._--At Rocklin J. P. Whitney has two hundred and fifty acres of raisin grapes, and is the largest raisin-maker in the county. There are not over three hundred and...

29. Part 29

The facing is a most important and interesting work. It takes from forty to fifty girls to do it, and only expert hands are allowed at the facing tables. The facing consists in...

24. Part 24

_1882._--In 1882 prices ran $2.37½ and $2.75. During all the period just reviewed, the duty was two and a half cents per pound on raisins; but in March, 1883, the duty was reduc...

30. Part 30

===============+=========+==============+==============+============== NAME. |LOCATION.| BRANDS. | LOCAL AGENTS |EASTERN AGENTS | | |AND ADDRESSES.|AND ADDRESSES. --------------...

1. Part 1

Of late years the raisin industry has been prominently before the horticulturists of California. Many people now make their living and acquire wealth by the cultivation of the r...

33. Part 33

We now offer you this land, together with perpetual water-right, at from $150 to $200 per acre, according to quality and location. No land will be deeded to any persons except a...

32. Part 32

Packing-frames 156 Packing-house 153, 205, 206, 207, 214 Packing Raisins 14, 20, 151, 160, 164 Palermo 44 Pantellaria 36 Paper 158 Pasas 22 Pasture Lands 8 Patras 24, 29 Pedregu...

31. Part 31

PAGE Acarnania 29 Acres in Raisins 48, 169 Ætolico 29 Agrotis 101 Aidin 31 Albuñol 12 Alfilerilla 99 Algarve 9 Alicante 10, 15 Alkali 72 Andalusia 8, 9 Antidotes for Alkali 74,...