_1879._--In 1879 the ruling prices for California raisins, in lots of 250 boxes and upwards, were: Common layers, $2.00 for wholes, $2.25 for halves, $2.50 for quarters, $3.00 for eighths; London layers, $2.25 to $2.50 for wholes, $2.50 to $2.75 for halves, $2.75 to $3.00 for quarters, $3.25 to $3.50 for eighths. _1880._--In October, 1880, the following quotations were made: Briggs’ layers, $2.00 and $2.75 per box. California raisins, in lots of 250 boxes and upwards, common layers, $2.50 and $2.25 per box; London layers, $2.50 per box. _1881._--In November of 1881, Malaga ruled high in the East, and in consequence prices were generally higher here, quotations for the California article running $2.50 for wholes, $2.75 for halves, $3.00 for quarters, and $3.25 for eighths, in lots of one hundred boxes. London layers, twenty-five cents per box more. _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 reduced to two cents, and yet importations for that year were only 633 boxes,--a rather singular fact. The reduction in duty does not seem to have had a very bad effect on prices, because, as is easily evident from the small importation, no competition to speak of was encountered in the local market, and, as in that year the imports at New York from Spain were many thousands of boxes short, Eastern competition was reduced to a minimum. Prices here ruled through the year at an average of from seven to eight cents a pound, anything especially choice bringing better prices. _1883._--In 1883 California made a big stride forward in packing and curing, and fancy raisins were put up in layers and cartoons. The Dehesa brand and other fancy brands made their appearance, and as high as one dollar was paid for quarters of five pounds each, and T. C. White’s and Miss Austin’s brands became famous. _1884._--In 1884, the year following that in which the duty was reduced to two cents, the following prices prevailed: In January the following quotations are recorded: Malaga layers, $3.50 for wholes, $5.00 for halves, and $5.50 for quarters in frames. Valencia raisins, fifteen cents per pound. Loose Muscatels, $1.60. London layers, $4.00. Briggs, wholes $2.50,--usual advance of twenty-five cents on fractions. Blowers, wholes $----, quarters $3.50, eighths $3.75. Other raisins, $2.50 in large lots; quarter and eighth boxes twenty-five cents higher. In August the following were the quotations: Malaga layers, $3.50 for wholes, $4.00 for halves, and $4.50 for quarters in frames. Valencias, fifteen cents per pound. Loose Muscatels, $1.90. London layers, $3.00. Briggs, wholes $1.40, halves $1.75, quarters $2.25, eighths $2.75. Blowers, wholes $2.25, halves $2.50, quarters $2.75, eighths $3.00.