_Smyrna._--The raisin-grapes of Smyrna in Asia Minor are almost exclusively grown on a white limestone soil, which consists of decomposed white rocks mixed with a stiff ocher-colored loam. This soil is so rocky that it must first be cleared, and the large rocks are carried away and used for boundary walls. This is the soil in the coast districts. In the interior the Sultana vines, as well as the Muscats, are replaced by fig orchards and other trees which delight in sandy soil,--too sandy to produce profitable raisin crops. _Zante._--The soils of Zante, the home of the Currant grape, are of various kinds. The heavy marl of the plains, which contains a large percentage of gypsum or sulphate of lime, is considered the best; indeed the gypsum is by many considered indispensable, or at least highly beneficial, to the above variety of grape. Other soils are red clay, gray marl and gravelly loam, all containing an abundance of lime. The Currant grape grows well and produces well on all these different soils, but does the best on the gypsum soil, which is therefore the most valued. On other soils the bunches are less solid, and the quantity of grapes produced is somewhat less, while their quality is inferior. [Illustration: Scene in a Fresno Raisin Vineyard: Raisin Trays Exposed for Drying.] _Chile._--The Huasco grape grows in the valley of Huasco, on the coast of Chile, in a soil that is very light and red, containing a great quantity of sand. While very light in weight, this soil is said to be very rich in plant food, and yields good crops. _Fresno._--The Fresno soils are of several kinds, but the three principal varieties are red or chocolate-colored loam, white or gray ashy soil, and a light, very sandy, loam. To this may be added the deeper gray bottom soils or alluvial deposits of the Kings river. Each one of these varieties have different grades more or less suitable to the Muscatel grape. The best grades of each are equally valuable, while again the poorer grades are not to be recommended. The deep chocolate-colored loam is by many preferred, and the largest and most successful raisin vineyards are now located on this soil. But even in the best districts the soil varies to such an extent, that while one twenty-acre field will yield 250 boxes of raisins to the acre, the adjoining field, with only a slight change in the soil, will yield only seventy-five boxes to the acre. The best grades of the white ashy soil are also very good, and almost identical with the gray bottom-land deposits of Kings river. The light sandy soil should be avoided for Muscat grapes, but may do for Malaga and Sultanas, especially if judiciously fertilized.