The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-18
THE FRUIT TRADE.

Decline in Supply and Demnnd-VaIuob ic
statisifcs-Penchcs and Waterme,ons.
visit to Washington Market at present Ii some.
thing calculated to astonIsh tho unlnltiated. At
every step huge pyramids Of watermeons and
towers Of peach baskets meet the eye, and cease
less throng OF drays and wagons OF all kinds blocks
all the approaches to tho largest and fllthiest
market in the city. At the Jersey railroad depots
hundreds Of cars are constantly arriving laden with
the treasures OF mother earth and vessels are daily
discharging their cargoes OF the same at the piers
adjoining the market. The amount Of business
done In the fruit line at Washington Market at
present Is something enormous being calculated by
prominent dealer at over
FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS DAY
and yet tlls season has fallen far short in supply
and demand OF It's predecessors. The early crop is
remarkably large, but all the other kinds which also
comprise The best, are very scarce The reason
assigned for this Is that mild winter and early ge-
2al spring brought out all the fruit in this section
screening, rainiess summer interfered sadly with
the later crop OF fruit The great staple OF the fruit
trade az washington Market consists OF
PEACHES AND wATERMELONs
Other species. such as plums, pears cherries &c.
The supply of peaches this summer Is onehrd st
least below that OF last summer, and the sales are
even lower One hundred and nny car loads
would scarcely suf1ce for one days consumption
at this market, while now one hundred would he
same time. Maryland and Delaware are the ma are
sources OF the peach trade, and the orchards in
those States are on an enormous SCALE One gentle
man, near Mddletown, Del, had peach crop this
year averaging
SIXTY THOUSAND BASKETS,
and another fruiter was offered $685. 600 for his crop
while 1t was yet ungathered The supply from New
Jersey Is less than onetenth OF what the two first
mentioned States furnish. The prices OF peacnes
this summer average from sixty to one dollar
according 10 quality. Regarding quantity I'm the
peach line prominent dealer assured us Yesterday
that there could have been less than Sc 600 bas
ketS In the market and that there are soInet,mea
over 100 cars daily at the Jersey depot with an
average OF $40 baskets TO each car. THIS dealer
averages for his own supply 5000 baskets daily
The largest supply OF watermelon come from
Baltimore, Nd and Virginia, Delaware and New
Jersey also contribute heavy quota. This summer
Georgia. The most remarkable fact In the melon
trade this year Is that the New Jersey crop ripened
and was forwarded 0s soon as that OF Virginia and
Maryland. The prices are about half what they
were last year. They average from ten to thirty
dollars per hundred, and not In nourishlna de.
mand at that In fact the fruit trade this wear in
A GLOOMY CONDITION.
and the losses OF dealers will be enormous Thou.
sands upon thousands OF dollars have been lost SO
far by spoiled fruit. Even the apple trade has
fallen OF, and the ancient female vendors have
become crankfer than ever The fruit business Is
almost entirely monopolized by Washington Market,
there being but small percentage Of It transacted
10 Fulton Market. The season. which commenced
with this month, Will probably last until the end or
September IL may be that the decline In .a,,e and
heavy losses OF the dealers will bring the season TO
close earlier The scarcity Of money felt in other
branches or business besides fruit but this latter
commodity cannot be laid over and requires Instant
OF teeth there s In the odorerous precincts OF WASH
inQtOn Market,