The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-06
OUR FRUIT TRADE.
IT'S MOVEMENT, IMPORTANCE AND
nENEFlTs TO THE CITY.

A representative of the DEMOCRAT called
upon Mr. j. 2. Macheca, owner OF the
schooner CLARA Dyer, which was fumigated
at the Quarantine by order Of the Board of
Health, for the purpose Of aseertaining from
him whether the cargo of bananas had been
much injured by the process OF fumigation.
Mr.. Macheca said that the sulphurous acid
gas had not only discolored the outer cover
ing Of the ripe fruit but also had destroyed
the flavor OF the fruit in such degree as to
make 1t unfit for the trade. The bananas
would have sold at ~ a bunch on an average,
but In their present condition no one is willing
to buy them, under the impression that the
fumes Of the gas, acting on the fruit. were
poisonous The cargo Of the Clara Dyer was
valued at $4,000
Mr.. Macheca said. also, that should the
Board of Health continue to act In that way
the fruit trade, one OF the most important In
this city, would be ruined. He stated that
the port from which his schooner came was
free from any yell w fever epidemic and con-
tanned only few inhabitants, the majority
Of whom are colored The vessel had clean
bill of health, and all the men on board were
in perfect health and full accimated II have
BEEN" he said, "for thirty years engaged In
the fruit business, and it Is The first time that
such quarantine rules were enforced on a
fruit vessel"
The reporter then went to the age estab-
lshmeut Of
8. OTERI & BRO,
on Front street. near Gravier. The following
conversation ensued between the representa-
tive of the DEMOCRAT and Mr.. Oteri.
Reporter have called on you, Mr.. Oteri,
to ascertain your opinion In regard to the
fumigatiun of fruit vessels.
Answer believe that this proceeding of
the Board Of Health in tumigating fruit yes
sells is unnecessary and outrageous. This is
the first time that such a process was brought
to act against the craft engaged in the fruit
trade The steamship Bolivar, which ar
rived here two days ago from Liverpool, via
Aspinwall had a cargo Of fruit stored between
decks. She was fumigated.. But the captain,
in order to protect his fruit from the effects
OF the gas, when the hold was funigated COW
cred the matches of the hold and afterward
through wind sail" He was thus enabled
to bring his cargo here in good condition and
marketable state.
Rep.--It seems, then that. the fruit trade is
very, important branch OF business here2
Ayes; next to the cotton, sugar and
flour trade, the fruit trade Ia one OF the most
Hourishing of New Orleans.
Rep Nhat is the capital Invested in that
business?
A.-Wtll, it would not be easy to ascertain,
but to the best of my knowledge, can safely
put it as high as $5,D00.0o0.
Kep.-HUw is the trade carried on2
Ave send sch1oners to the Bay Islands,
and to the tropical regions where fruit grows,
to take In eatgoes of SUCH and in return send
to those parts the merchandise which the
people of those regions lack, such rs flour,
grain and other commodities. There are at
present q number of schooners engaged iu
that trade, which Is steadily increasing every
year.
Rep.-How is the demand now, and where
does 1t come from?
A.-The demand is good, and comes princi-
pally from the North and West Fruits of all
kinds find ready sale. because they are
brought here almost fresh, owing to the COM
plete arrangements made in bringing them to
this city across the gulf. Our firm owns five
schooners and one steamship, all used in
transporting fruit from Utilla, Ruatan, ia
maica, and other West India Islands. You
can Judge Of the Importance OF the fruit trade
when | tell you that our house alone trans
acted business last year to the amount of
over $3.50 900 in handling foreign and domestic
fruits and shipping them to the North and
West.
In one day last year we shipped 6ooo
punches of bananas. Two of our schooners
brought here recently cargo of 100000 CO.
coanuts, and since September last the re-
ceipts Of this fruit alone foot up S6S,391.
We find no difficulty in disposing OF our car
goes Of fruit, however large The business OF
Judge Of the extent of tho trade by the
synopsis / gave you Of the business we
transact. This summer, we expect to have
fourteen schooners in the trade.
The reporter then took leave of Mr.. Oteri,
after thanking him for his valuable informa-
ton with regard to most important branch
Of the commerce OF New Orleans.