Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-02-15
The Raisin Industry.

A few weeka ago there appeared in
fanatical weekly paper in this city an
exaggerated account Of the profit of raj
sin culture, setting forth a yield ofnS800
per acre from raiSins and $50 per acre
from wine grapes. the balance of $3.50
per acre reported to be loss caused by
planting "hell BROTH Tho HERALD
exposed the fallacy Of the statement at
the time, and showed that there was no
such extravagant profit in raisin grow
ing and cited the cold blooded facts and
the market report.
This statement seems to have aroused
public attention. and other journals have
become emboldened to tell the truth,
which they should have done long ago.
There is profit in farming in Califor-
mia, that is not mel with In other states,
but there Is no use ms Disgusting the fact
and humbugging the people. The HER
AID is devoted to the development of
the resources of the country, and will
publish all information that can be OBJ
tanned in regard to the real facts in the
case.
The Pacific Rural Press endorses the
views Of the HERALD. in an able review.
and in the course Of an article on the
subject has this to say:
The raisin market is proving unsatis.
factory to producers who held their crop
late, and has apparently disappointed
some who bought the product last fall.
We hear that firm in this city has
issued circular offering to supply layer
raisins from one of the most popular dis
tricts at Sl.l5 per box. which Is certain
ly below the cost ef production.
1t seems that the lowering Of the duty
melted the foreign producers to make
vigorous efforts to supply the Eastern
markets and 10 get their product in in
unusual quantities and at an unusually
early date, so as to occupy the, field be-
fore the California product should come
upon sole. To accomplish this, large
lots of raisins were sold in New York
last September prior TO arrival. This
trade was pushed to the markets in the
Western States, where il has been hoped
to dispose Of the California product. In
this way these markets were stocked up
with imported raisins, and the Cslifor-
MIA raisins, coming on about two weeks
later, found the trade well supplied.
The result is the demoralized state OF
the market now prevailing here
The question Of the supply Of foreign
raisins brought in during the last few
months cannot be fully settled yet, be-
cause the figures of importation during
the last three months cannot be had yet.
The imports for the year ending June
30. 1882. were 43,779, ,867 pounds; the
year ending June 30, 1883, 81, ,4S7, $50
pounds. During the month Of October,
1883, the imports were IA, ,467 sos
pounds, and If other months are propor1
tionately large, theSe will be shown an
unusually large importation available for
this winters consumption. This, as we
have stated. is but conjsgture. It is,
however, well established that the ave-
nues Of outlet which we usually count ON
to relieve Us of our raisin crop do not
call for the fruit at present. There may
also be other reasons for this state Of
affairs than those mentioned.
We trust that raisin producers will
not fail to present to Congress their
just claims in the matter Of duty. The
government has undertaken to foster
young and promising industries, and GER
tainly one Of these is raisin making in
California. The business is being de-
veloped with much skill and devotion,
and is producing new source Of
wealth to the country. This State
has abundant capabilities for sup
plying the United States with o fine ar
ticle of raisins, and gives the govern
ment IN opportunity to retain within
our own borders the large amount of
money which has heretofore gone to
support the people near the Mediterra-
mean. The margin Of profit is compare
lively small. The receipts go to requite
large number Of laborers, to support
box factories and lumber producers, to
assist paper makers, designers, printers,
and thus > large class of our population
IL made to enjoy the comforts resulting
from profitable employment. Under the
old tariff. which was small enough, there
was chance for increasing and devel-
oping the business, while under the new
regulation il seems to be somewhat i'm
periled. This State deserves that its
budding industries be fostered by the
government, ~ they are of character
50 new. and the products como into di-
rect competition with foreign goods, and
thus go to building up the self-sufficien-
cy Of the country. We hope the raisin
makers will cooperate to exhibit their
industry in its true light to the law
makers, and that their Just claims may
be needed by Congress. The subject
demands immediate and concerted &C.
ton, and we commend 1t to the atten-
ton of our correspondents.
The Rural Press presents the matter
fairly and squarely. 1t shows that this
industry is intimately related to our
sources of prosperity, and that 10 make
it profitable, which it must needs be in
the future, the people must work to &C.
complain this end. There is no use in
misleading people by false lights on
the Shore" thus leading settlers into
mistakes Of business for which the press
will be blamed. Southern California is,
without doubt, the best fruit producing
country on the continent, and yet, in
the multitude Of avenues Of production
all may not be equally successful. The
HERALD only desires to see those crops
and methods of production made use Of
that will insure success.
In all calculations about planting .
vineyard or an orchard, the matter OF
market for the crop must be carefully
considered. There is no use in planting
what is not salable, when there are 90
many rich and rewarding crops that
may be planted. All our leading staples
will eventually be profitable, but all are
not profitable at the present moment.
Our progrcas must be cautious and pru-
dent, like that Of all other successful
commonwealths, and no extravagent
notions should guide the people into
errors.