ite, and that
destructive insects are not to be feared. Some vertebrates, such as
monkeys, that I preserved in the flesh ten years ago, by a nearly
identical method, are still intact.--_F. Plateau, in Le Naturaliste._

* * * * *

DRIED WINE GRAPES.

According to a report of the Committee of the Grape Growers' and Wine
Maker's Association of California, the drying of wine grapes on a
large scale was begun during the vintage season of 1887, in which
season about eight carloads in all were made and sold, the bulk of
which came from the vicinity of Fresno; that year, the committee are
informed, the growers netted about three and a half cents per pound.
During the season of 1888 about 112 carloads were dried, packed, and
sold, netting the growers from two and a half to three and a half
cents per pound, depending on the quality of the fruit. The great bulk
of that year's product has entered into consumption, but there yet
remains unsold to consumers, we are informed, about ten carloads,
which, it is expected, will be sold during the next three months. It
has been observed by those handling this product that the largest
sales of dried wine grapes in 1888 and 1889 took place at those points
to which the first lots were shipped in 1887, which would show that as
the product becomes better known it finds a readier market.

Dried wine grapes are prepared in a similar manner to raisins; that is
they are dried in the sun, but do not require the same care in
handling that are given to raisins. Wooden trays 2 x 3 are sometimes
used, but it is by no means necessary to go to the expense of
procuring trays, as it has been found that a good quality of coarse
brown paper will answer every purpose, and this, with care, may be
made to last two or three seasons. The drying was last season
principally done on the bare ground, but there is much loss by
shelling, as those dried are required to be turned; a pitchfork is
used for that purpose. Brown building paper can be procured of city
paper dealers in large rolls at four and a half cents per pound;
according to the thickness, it will cost from one and three-quarters
to three and a half cents per square yard. A thin, tough, waterproof
paper is also made in rolls at about six cents a square yard. Wine
grapes dry in from ten days to three weeks, according to variety and
weather, and with the exception of Malvoisie, Rose of Peru, and Black
Hamburg, from th