_Muscatel or Gordo Blanco._--This variety is the best type of the raisin grape of Malaga. Its growth is low and spreading, with no upright branches in the center. Its bunches are heavy, and, when perfect, close and shouldered. Its berries are round and large, the greatest circumference being at the center. A crease is often found at the apex of the berry. The color is green, or, when fully ripe, amber green or yellow. As compared with the Muscat of Alexandria, this variety is distinguished, when perfect, by its low, depressed growth, without any upright branches in the center of the vine; by a closer bunch; by rounder berries, and by a thicker and firmer bloom. The berries set better than those of the Muscat of Alexandria, although both varieties suffer from the early stages of oidium or colure. The Gordo Blanco is the choice raisin grape for the San Joaquin valley, and for the interior generally. It is the raisin grape of Malaga in Spain, where it is probable the variety originated. Importations of this variety have been made to California at various times by A. Haraszthy in 1861, and by W. S. Chapman in 1876. _Muscat of Alexandria._--The growth of this variety is upright in the center. Its clusters, even when perfect, are never close. Its berries are oblong and tapering, the largest circumference being near the apex. The color when fully ripe is amber green or yellowish green. The leaves of both varieties of Muscats are five-pointed, light green, lighter below, and do not differ materially from each other. Both Muscats are remarkable for their second and third growths, and for the large second crop on the laterals. 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. [Illustration: 2.--Planting Bar (Fresno). 3.--Fresno “Sheep’s-foot.” 4.--Muscat of Alexandria (N. S.). 5.--Muscatel Gordo Blanco.]