The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-01
CO1nERCIAL 1ATTERS, Etc.


Frauds II eagdaDes.
The London Pal Null Gazette has the fol.
lowing:
Persons engaged in the sardine trade in
France are finding cut that fraud is not always
profitable in the long run. This export trade.
says Consul Clippefton in his commercial re-
port on Nantes for the past year, was found
10 have fallen off to such great ex ent that in
formation on the subject was sought by the
Minister Of Commerce from the French con-
ssuls abroad.
buyer of this article were applied to in the first
instance, and the unpleasant truth was re-
vealed in dispatch from the French Consul
General at New York last February. 1t seems
shat the Theoretically closed boxes containing.
at was fondiy believed, "sardines rhuile
could no longer be depended on for the
mature Of their contents. Spurious fish, such
xas sprats, mackerel, and even more common
species, were introduced, while the oil was of
very inferior quality.
It was discovered that at least 40 per cent
of the importation was spurious, and as q
natural consequence the general demand for
.sardines fell, and large stock was left Oh
hand. The ordinary yearly production OF
:sardines is between 4OO. 600 and 500, 600 cases,
each case containing 100 boxes, of which it is
estimated that France consumes 70, 600 cases,
or on an average one box for every five inhabi-
tants. With view to protect the buyers in
future from being cheated by fraudulent con-
tractors, asyndica has teen lately formed {,
watch, as far as it is possible, that the rules
and regulations agreed to by the trade are
complied with, and having full powers to
grant mark or certificate guaranteeing that
the merchandise is of sound and marketable
quality-the quality to be determined each
season and to be considered as accepted.
The Cheapness of Rice.
The price of domestic rice is now down to
point fully one cent per pound lower than
the lowest quotations that have ruled since
1862 with the exception of q brief period
during the worst of the panic of 1873, from
which there was speedy reaction. The
present net rates to producers. are said to no
more than cover the cost Of grJ ring and har-
vesting, which is now fully double that OF
ante.war times. The production Of both Caro-
lima and L ,uisiana sorts has very greatly in
creased Of late years and the present crop is
considerably in excess of that of the season
of 1874-75.
This excess was all consumed, however,
previous to February !, the low prices OF the
past few months, having increased the con-
sumption about so per cent over that of last
year. The present stock, therefore, is but o
frihe. ifany larger than was held at this date
in 1875, and is regarded by the trade as in
sufficient to supply the present rate Of con-
sumption until the incoming OF the new crop.
Foreign sorts have been crowded out of our
domestic markets by the vigor with which the
chief handlers of domestic have pushed their
crop. Carolina being of superior grade comes
less directly into competition with foreign
grades than Louisiana, but the latter is SELL
ing at considerably lower prices than ths
competing sorts can be imported for, under
the present duty, and they are, therefore,
practically barred out of the market, except
for re-export from bond. The position Of the
market at present is very favorable for hold
prices. At anything like It's present value,
however, rice is very economical article OF
food and one which the retailer can use in
his stock as an attractive leader.