NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
General Remarks.
—The Muscatel and Sultana raisin grapes grow almost everywhere in the State, and it is therefore natural enough that the planting of raisin-vines should have increased considerably of late years, even in localities situated outside of those raisin districts mentioned, which have already made a success of the raisin industry. Below will be found a few notices from various such places which aspire to raisin fame, some of which have yet to make their reputation in this line. These notices are partly taken from the San Francisco Chronicle, which paper went to the trouble and expense of collecting such statistics at the beginning of the year. It must be remembered, however, that these statements are more or less approximate. As will be seen, all these localities here mentioned lie in the interior or the Sacramento valley proper, enjoying an inland climate. The climate in this valley is somewhat like that of the San Joaquin valley, of which it is an extension. Only the heat in summer is less, the rain in winter is more profuse, the showers in the spring of the year are later and those of the fall are earlier.
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 fifty acres of Muscats devoted to raisin-making in the county, and the total output this year was about four hundred tons, most of which was shipped directly East. The first carload of Muscat raisins sent East was shipped from the Whitney vineyard about ten years ago. A large area of Muscat and other vineyards will be planted this season, but none for raisin-making.
Yuba County.
—The raisin industry has received but little attention in Yuba county, although it has long been known that raisins of superior quality can be produced here. The area in raisin-vines is about three hundred acres, which will probably be increased by several hundred acres this season. Less than a hundred acres are in bearing. The raisin vineyards planted last season are chiefly at Colmena, midway between Marysville and Wheatland. The Muscatel grape is planted to some extent, but the favorite grape is the Thompson Seedless, a new variety of great promise.
Sutter County.
—The raisin industry of Sutter county dates back to the year 1876, and the venture was first made by the late Dr. S. R. Chandler three miles south of this city. The area now in raisin vineyard is about six hundred acres, three-fourths of which are in bearing. The crops marketed and prices received are about as follows: Three thousand twenty-pound boxes at $1.65 per box; eight hundred sacks of one hundred pounds each, at five cents a pound; five hundred and twenty-five sacks of dried grapes of one hundred pounds each, at three cents a pound. The home consumption is extensive, but is not estimated. The county is well adapted to raisin growing and curing, and received the second prize at the late Oroville State Citrus Exposition. Muscatel and Thompson Seedless are the favorite grapes. The soil of this county is very rich and warm, and no irrigation has been practiced.