Curing, Pressing and Packing.

The upper tier being not so well cured as the rest, they are put in the sun several days. After being fully cured they are pressed. The pressing injures some of the top layers, so they have to be replaced, and everyone has to be lifted and the cushion turned over. This gives them a fresh look. The papers are then put on and the forms put in the sun to heat, after which they are packed. The reason for packing warm is that they have a fine perfume on being opened, which they would not have if pressed cold. But little care is taken with layers, as they are a cheap kind. They are mostly used in the United States, but the demand for better kinds is growing. The loose Muscatels are the single grapes which are cut from the bunches, and are of the best quality. They pick the largest out for the first quality.

I have given the method of packing, not that 1 should wish any one to follow it. This can hardly be done as the price of labor is in California. It costs one day's labor to pack a box of either of the three best kinds. They are obliged to handle the fruit over so many times that it must injure it, and it is not very cleanly.