New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-07-30
SMALL FRUITS.

The first arrival of strawberries was from Charles
ton. s. Co. May II, at about the same time from Nor
folk Va, selling from 81 80 to a. 80 quart. The
second shipments larger selngfrom 81 to 81 90
and third being still larger. brought from 80 to %
cents till supplies becoming regular the prices ranged
from 2j to 50 cents. Most of these were from Nor
folk and adjoining shores to which were added
lots from Maryland, Delaware. and finally Jersey.
Those from Charleston proved unsatisfactory owing 10
the great distance, and II IS doubtful whether any
fruit which pershes quickly can DO sent hlthei rom
that place except at loss. It was expected from
the abundant blossoms that the crop would DO large
and fine everywhere for great pains had been taken,
and there wero large fields. Hopes were high. But
longcOntinued rains. and absence OF SUM- prevented
the setting of fruit Still, In some sections the fruit
set well and. owing TO the very large amount
planted the aggregate shipped IL greater than last
year and perhaps the quality has been superior. In
many. very many cases, the returns have been UNI
satisfactory. 1t Is generally understood, however
that Virginia growers have done well.
It is we'll known that there are few localities IN
Jersey where especial attention has been paid to this
fruit One will see the fields extending from the
stations several miles Dealers and reporters in this
city generally allege that to the cheap giftbox and
alright packages the low prices are mainly due;
Others ascrbe it TO overrpe fruit mixed with that
in good order while Others say that at tine best the
frt was inferior Last year this fruit did not arrive
till too late for the best customers but this year 1t
was on hand by o'clock in the morning and great
rlngement. 1t is mp0sslble.tO give the amount re-
celved but was large and II may be said that the
average OF the crop did not exceed 10 cents quartz
Commissions This il loose stareiheng SJiSS ~ VTsi
told us that he had acre which yielded 200 quarts
which is above the average, and that he received
free of all expenses $50 This is cents quart net.
he lives of the localities referred 10, ana as
Inc said he thought he did full as well as anybody
else the reader can draw his own conclusions, but
we are 10th To believe that the business OF growing
strawberries has sunk so low. One thing, however,
is certain there IS such general disappointment that
some have plowed up their grounds and planted po-
tatoes, while there Is general encouragement. A
local paper opposes this move, and urges that more
fertilizers be used, and that Increased attention oe
Some of the city dealers are inclined to disparage
n sandy soil for growing strawberries for market,
by saving that the sharp grit Injuries the hull as
to give it n brown appearance, when makes the
fruit look stale. Some who would be quite nice
have picked Off the hull but this "a impracticaDle
with large crop and besides, the hull Is required To
preserve freshness in the fruit and to prevent TOO
close contact. The complaint against the gittb4x
ihe Welding sides of the gft-b0x, for which reason
the fruit shifts about. What advantage could DO
derived from ventilated packages when the whole
are packed close in box car, Is hard 70 be under
stood Complaint also is made OF the manner OF
handling particularly when transfers are made, as
at Philadelphia where, 1t Is alleged tie paChag S
med The whole system OF transporting tehe'er
fruit through the whole country needs reorganlza
ton for il cannot much longer be borne. .
The method of cOnsigning fruit seems oOectloha-
BILE Remember, we speak Of the great frult-groW-
ing localities where they have organized by estaD
fishing agencies to see that their interests DO not
suffer Last year their fruit was sent TO few moh
and freouentiy IN lots SO large that there was no
other way than TO sell at once, or, as they say
slaughter it," This year an agent was appointed
who came on and selected the commission men 70
whom he would send and then, III directing the
packages he would send 90 crates 10 one dealer, Sc
lected ut random, from growers lots, ana the next
day 80 crates selected in the manner. The con
sequence was that the dealer sold them III an on
hand way. so that the good sold the poor illd the
retailer had no idea Of the value OF his purchase
A commission mans business is greatly expedited
if he knows the value Of the production he offers for
sale If he receives dy supplies q, gO ea ~ ibis
fruit and il is important that so long as the Market
lasts the supplies should make I'm unobstructed
and quick transit TO the retailer ana the consumer
Where such a system is pursued the highest price
that the article is worth is demanded ana IL Is gwen
without examination or delay on the talth OF repu-
tation already established But when there are 90
crates more or less from perhaps 20 unknown growers
and the lot in various conditions as 10 order the only
way to make sales is " rs they run ana ne VINO nas
been careless receives much as he who has taken
the utmost pains There IL another draw back. some
growers are suspicious OF commission men generally.
They will send small lot to one man, small lot 10
another. sometimes dealer will get only few lots
In the whole season. No course can be worse Tor the
dealer has no sympathy with the grower, however
good the fruit may be- 1t is OF no consequence 70 MN
because he cannot depend upon 1t TO sell and more
than this he will naturally feel resentment at the
want of confidence the grower has shown The way
10 do is to take pains to learn that dealer is honest
and will do the best he can, ithen stick to him
through good and evil report. We know of cases
where growers have sent TO one commission man tcr
]
of withdrawal was sufficient TO secure remedy,
Little can be said of cherries, for the only SNIP
ments made OF any consequence are from western
New-YorK. OF course. they brought good prices
The Antwerp and finer sorts of raspberrles seem
very short and have sold at average OF % cents
quart The taste of New-YOrk people Is singular Tor
they do not like to buy the Black Caps They seem
10 have an idea that il grows wild; but there is
gradual change, and the time is not distant when
this variety will sell as well as Phiadephla or any
of our other cities. The Black Caps IRON Western
New-York have been in heavy supply, but owing TO
the dry weather and tho long distance have arrived
in poor order and sold at about l2i cents quart 10
preservers No pershabe fruit whatever the quality
may be- can sell we'll unless il arrives 40 early as TO
meet frst-cass customers, which is at o'clock III
the morning Fruit that will sell readily Tor 20 cents
at this hour will bring only from 10 to 10 cents at
o'clock. when the second-class customers arrive
After this hour the price IL still lower OK course,
such arrivals as at o'clock a. IN. and p III: arc
altogether too late Clarks raspberry new variety
and hard 10 distinguish from the Antwerp, has soiu
very WELL much going ct 30 cents and even more
quart. 40 A.i aud hava
RIM down as'low a. g. Currants sold from 10 10 10
cents a pound being very scarce Ihis OWING W