The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-07-29
MARYLAND PEACH TRADE.
BeslnninE OF the seasOn-Expectntiens
or n Large IIusiuess-Some Estimates
of the Cron. Efc. ~ - ~

BeglnninE OF the kehsOn-Expectntisns
or n Large Husiuess-Some Estimntcs
OF the Crop, Etc. s4 ~
BALTIMORE, July oS-Between three and
four thousand boxes OF peaches arrive in
Baltimore daily from the eastern shore
counties. Next week the number OF ship.
ments will rapidly increase, and about the
middle ot August the season will be ut It's
height. With each succeeding cargo the
quality OF the fruit, which is
mostly knotty and juiceless at pres.
cn., improves in flavor as well rs in ap.
pcaance. The best varieties OF Mary.
land peaches arc unequaled the world
over in beauty OF shape, delicacy OF color
aud lusciousness OF taste. 1t was predicted
several months ago in the SIN that there
would be IN abundant crop. a personal
examination was made ut that time Of the
trees in Kent and Queen Anne's counties,
and, despite the reports to the contrary, ii
was announced that, although the yield
could not be so large as it WAS in 1875, an
exceedingly large crop might be expected.
These predictions will undoubtedly be
verified. 1t is estimated by the steamboat
companies OF this city that not less than
100000 boxes OF peaches will be landed
in Baltimore by their vessels and the
smaller craft engaged in the trade.
All the peaches that come to Baltimore
from the Eastern Shore Arc brought here
by water. III years gone by, when the
steamboat interests OF Baltimore were COM
paratvely small, nearly the whole OF the
fruit grown on the peninsula OF Maryland
and Delaware was shipped to Northern
markets by railroad. For a number OF
years the peninsula railroad system moncp-
olized the business, but in the meantime
the steamboat fleet OF Baltimore was grad
ually developing. To day there is n vessel
Of some sort plying between this city and
every river on the Eastern Shore. Most OF
these vessels are comfortable side-wheel
steamers, with large freight capacity. In
addition 10 those there are several pro.
pcllers that were built especially for carry
ing peaches. This development OF Ches,i-
peake bay navigation has not only put
new life in the Eastern Shore counties, but
has done more toward advancing the
business OF baltimore than most people are
aware OF. The reason this fact is not gen.
orally known and appreciated is because
the expansion OF the steamboat interests
has not been attended with any flourish of
trumpets, each company having worked
silently and kept its business affairs quiet.
As an evidence OF the stride forward that
has been made in bringing Maryland
peaches to a Maryland market it may be
stated that the estimated number OF East
ern Shore peaches that will be sent over
the peninsula railroad system this year is
1,249, 900 baskets, or about $4,000 boxes.
1t takes three baskets 10 make two boxes.
1t will thus be seen that the
bulk OF the Maryland peaches
comes to Baltimore, and is not
shipped over the peninsula system, as was
formerly the case. The peaches grown in
Delaware are Of course nearly all sent to
Northern markets by rail. Canneries
have beeh established in the peach regions
Of both States, and absorb large quantities
OF the fruit. The largest proportion Of the
peaches that arrive here are sold to the
fruit packers. There are about fifty pack
n capital OF over s., 1000. There product,
Vegetable anu lTul, IS Shlueu NJ over
S5,000,000. Owing 10 the small peach trop
last year canned goods sold high and con-
money was made. As there are
any canned peaches now
in the market, anda as the demand
is usually good, the packine.houses
are making extensive preparations
for work this season. Some Of these places
will run eighteen hours daily. The fruit
that is NOT bought mp by the packers is
shipped North and West over the railroads.
The shipments over the Baltimore 4
Ohio railroad extend as far west rs Chi.
cago. In addition TO the peaches that are
received here from the Eastern Shore, large
quantities come from Southern Maryland
aud from Virginia. Very few are shipped
from the eastern shore Of Virginia rs the
farmers there devote their land TO raising
potatoes. The consumption OF peaches in
Baltimore is large, and is supplied from all
sources. The census department has not
made statistical report, but it is believed
that the are great many more peaches
grown in Maryland then in Delaware, not
Delaware has always lad
the reputation Of being the greatest peach.
growing State in the country.