The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-04-10
)NDAY MORNING, APRIL TO- 1871.

.Da1ED r STATIsTrCs-Richmond ns n
MdrEet Ior H-Hoao to Prepare and D,z
fTu't.-teW persons are aware of the large
trade which has sprung up in Richmond
within two or three years past in dried
fruit. It has already become an importanf
branch of our interior commerce. and ia in.
creasing every season. We have therefore
been at some pains to collect the statistics
on this subject, and to procure from the
most experienced in the trade directions for
drying n preparing fruit for market, with
the view OF calling the attention of our
country readers to. this greatly-remunera.
tive and almost undeyeloped field of indus.
try. at their very doors.
During the year 1870 the following uuan-
titles Of dried fruit were received over three
of the internal Improvement lines terminal
ing here, which kept a separate record OF
this character of freight:
Richmond and DanvilIe railroad. sf4. as4 lbs.
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad....... 4ss.0s2 :"
James River and Kanawha canal....... 40e,asa g
Add to:thls the receipts Of the R:ich- ''''' - ''''
mac railroad, the Richmond and
Petersburg railroad, the Richmond
and York River railroad, the James
river teamers and The country
carts, estimated by the dealers ut
And 1t shows over two million pounds of
dried fruit received here last season, for
the prices ruling in this market. When it
is remembered that this is the product
chiefly of women and children, supplying
many families with articles of necessity and
comfort otherwise not within their means,
and that the production may be indefinitely
increased with the certainty of finding ready
sale here at remunerative prices, it will be
apparent to all that there are thousands OF
our rural population who would find it to
their interest to give more attention to
gathering and drying fruit.
After the fruit reaches Richmond it is
sold to the shippers, who sort and repack
it, as only certain kinds are saleable in par
ticular markets. The great bulk of it is
shipped to the far West and to foreign
ports. 49,.
From Mr.. 81. A. Dayton, one of our
largest and most experienced fruit-ship-
pers, we have received the following direc-
tions for preparing and drying fruits for
this market, to which we invite attention:
Apples.-Pick before fully ripe, pare all
over, slice from each side to the core-the
thinner the slices the quicker they will dry
and the higher price they will bring. All
pared and sliced fruits should be dried in
the shade and out of the wind, to preserve
a light color, on which very much depends
the price.
Peaches should be picked before too ripe,
sliced towards the centre, so thin that when
dry the slices will not be thicker than the
blade of a table knife. Be very particular
and dry them a light color. Dark peaches
are always dull sale at half price or less
than bright ones. Peaches, if not peeled,
should he cut in halves.
Cherries.-Take out every seed and dry
without any admixture of sugar or syrup,
and dry thoroughly. The damper they are
the less price they sell for. Cherries not
seeded are of little value, aud dull sale.
Bldckberries, Whortle6erries, and Rasp-
berries should not, in picking and drying,
lose any of their juice the pulp is of no
value.
Damsons and other plums should be dried
without seed.
Pears and Ounces should be sliced the
same as peaches, and be free from cores and
seeds.
Remember, that neither peach or cherry
seeds, apple cores or Feelings, sugar, syrup
or water, will sell for dried fruit. By care
lessly or Intentionally leaving or putting
them in, you will in the price have to pay
for sorting, where it can be done, and lose
the amount paid for freight on the portion
of no value.
Keep the fruit clean, and do not forget
the fact that the better it is prepared the
quicker it will sell, and the higher price it
will bring. Lastly, pack in nice, clean bar
rels, boxes, or bags, and ship to a aceU-
kno,rn and reliable dealer in Richmond, and
you will receive a good price and quick re-