The Muscat of Alexandria, as compared with the Gordo Blanco, is characterized by its oblong berries, and by its more upright branches in the center of the vine. Its growth is more straggling than that of the Gordo Blanco, and, planted side by side, the two varieties are distinctly characteristic. The Muscat of Alexandria is the favorite raisin grape in Southern California, where it seems eminently adapted. I found no other Muscat in San Bernardino and San Diego counties. The most magnificent bunches of this variety which I have ever seen were grown there only a few miles from the ocean,—bunches that could not be surpassed, and which certainly were equal in weight to any Gordo Blanco that have ever come under my notice. A. B. Butler considers that the Muscat of Alexandria does equally as well as the Gordo Blanco in Fresno, but most growers are not ready to agree with him.
2.—Planting Bar (Fresno). 3.—Fresno “Sheep’s-foot.” 4.—Muscat of Alexandria (N. S.). 5.—Muscatel Gordo Blanco.
The raisin made from the Muscat of Alexandria looks smaller on account of its oblong form, and is less suited for facing the boxes, but as to other qualities, such as taste, sweetness and color, there is no marked difference between these two varieties of Muscats. All varieties of Muscats set better in moist air than where the air is very dry, and the moister air tends to better develop the bunches. This explains why, in isolated vineyards in the interior, the bunches are never so large as where a large number of acres of vines have modified the often excessive dryness of the atmosphere. As to the relative distribution of these two varieties of Muscats in our State, it may be stated that the former is not based upon any particular adaptability of the respective varieties to the localities where they are grown. The Muscat of Alexandria is the older variety of the two, probably both in Spain as well as in California. To Valencia in Spain it was brought by the Moors from Africa, or possibly from Alexandria in Egypt. The Gordo Blanco again appears to be a native Spanish variety, especially adapted to the warmer region of Malaga or Southern Spain. The Gordo Blanco is the principal grape of Malaga; the Muscat of Alexandria is the one grown in Valencia and Denia and also in Smyrna in Asia Minor.
In California the Gordo Blanco is found around Woodland in Yolo county, throughout the San Joaquin valley, and in Fresno it is the favorite and almost exclusive Muscat grape. The Muscat of Alexandria is grown in Solano county and elsewhere in Northern California, while it is the exclusive grape in Riverside, Redlands, Orange county and El Cajon, and probably elsewhere in San Diego county or Southern California generally. The Muscat of Alexandria was imported by Colonel Agoston Haraszthy in 1852 from Malaga, and by D. M. Delmas some thirty-eight years ago from France.
Huasco Muscat.
—This variety (pronounced Uasco) resembles very much the Muscat of Alexandria, of which it is probably a seedling, and was introduced into Chile by the Spaniards soon after the conquest. According to Professor E. W. Hilgard, this variety sets better than the Alexandria, and on that account deserves to be cultivated. It is strange that no attempts have been made in this country to grow it on a larger scale. The Huasco is undoubtedly one of the most interesting grapes, and the fact that it produces the most expensive raisins in the world should be a sufficient inducement to our California growers to at least study the variety closely. I should think that El Cajon valley would be the proper locality for it in this State.
Other Varieties of Muscats.
—A variety of Muscatel resembling the Gordo Blanco, but with more erect growth, is said to have been imported by G. G. Briggs of Davisville, Solano county. I have seen it growing in the vineyard of George A. Freeman of Fresno, but cannot distinguish its berries from those of the Gordo Blanco. The growth of the vine is more erect, and leaves the center of the vine rather uncovered and exposed. I would decidedly prefer the Gordo Blanco. A seedling of the Gordo Blanco originated by the author is now growing on the Floreal vineyard, owned by J. T. Goodman, near Fresno. This variety promised a great deal the first season. I have no doubt that, with some selection of berries and bunches, many new and valuable raisin grapes could be originated in this State, varieties which would be especially adapted to our soil and climate. While our fruit-growers have produced a number of new fruits of various kinds, we have yet to hear of the first superior grape seedlings. According to the Rural Press of May 5, 1877, C. T. Ward of Haywards, Alameda county, raised some seedlings from Huasco seed, but what has become of them I do not know. Haywards would not be likely to be a proper place for raisin grapes, and even the best variety could not possibly be a success there.
J. T. Goodman of Fresno has a Muscatel vine in his vineyard which ripens ten days earlier than the Gordo Blanco, but whether it is a seedling is not known. It may prove a most valuable variety if extensively grown. B. G. Stabler of Yuba City tells me that Ch. E. Swezy, near Marysville, has raised a seedling from an imported Dehesa raisin, which in size, flavor and all other qualities excels any other table grape known, but the flavor of the grape does not resemble that of the Muscatel. I have seen raisins made from this grape, but they were not desirable; but as a table grape this variety is said to be superior. If so, this grape should be tried in different localities, and may prove a real acquisition. There is no doubt that other seedling raisin grapes have been raised in this State, and we hope in course of time to know all about them.