Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-10-23

1DU,UUU.
This is, of course, provided no rains
come ND to. say October 18th, when the
crop will be all gathered. Boston receives
about one-eighth of what comes here and
Philadelphia and Baltimore, say one-eighth
between them.
"This fruit is always packed in barrels
made of oak sent out from the Southwest
via New Orleans, and packed in fine cork
dust, which preserves it. We have kept
Almeria or Malaga grapes in our store
houses, in fine order, from October until
May 1t is sent here for account of the
growers in Almeria and vicinity each man
having his own mark and dealing with Us
here direct without the intervention of
anybody. We have now over liz different
parties shipping to us from Almeria, Spain.
Prices in the past two seasons, on prime
fruits, ranged from Sc to IS per barrel, and
81 to So on common to fairly good. Fifty
pounds of grapes net to barrel. Duty is
20 per cent. on value in Almeria, and
freight is about 80 cents per barrel: So the
shippers have had returned to them say
about 10 to II cents per pound on the
finest, and 6 to cents on common quality.
We know that our returns have been most
satisfactory to the shippers, and more will
come each year. Sill, the more we receive
the larger grows the demand, and every
grocer in every little town this side of
Chicago has a few barrels of Almeria
grapes alwaysson hand to supply the con-
stan:ly-increasing demand.
1--WE are just at the commencement of
the new season. First arrivals of any con-
sequence are here to-day say about I 900
farrels Arrivals Will continue until jan
uary LIST, so the whole campain covers but
three months.
"All this fruit is sold at auction here inn
mediately on arrival, and we have buyers
come from all points within 100 miles to
bid; competition among them does the
rest.
Oar buyers scatter the fruit all over the
country, and they seem never TO be full,
always willing to bid for more. The auc-
ton is the only way to dispose of perish
able fruit. We always get the full market
value, because we have fiom 100 TO 200 of
the sharpest fruit dealers daily at our sales,
and as we have sold all of our mpOrtatons
in this auction room for the past II years,
we think we may venture an opinion of
its worth.
'In our opinion the prices will be some
what lower here this season, because it is
probable that we shall have steady and
large arrivals, all of prime quality, and if
our market is glutted the good prices OF the
past two seasons will not be bad.
However, you tell me that notwith-
standing California grapes are retailed at
from % to 80 cents pound in New York
city and elsewhere east of Chicago. the
grower will not net over y or 3 cents q
pound. If this is so, then, even with prob
able lower prices, our Mediterranean ship
pers will surely realize more than double
these figures. Regarding the application of
this method to California fruits, | see no
good reason why it cannot be done OF
course you must send us good fruits and at
the right time, and if you can get reason
able freight rates it is sure to pay. The
same trade that buys our foreign fruits
stands ready to buy your California fruits.
The latter would be sold to the same peo-
pie, in the same manner and under the
same conditions as the former"
THE APPLICATION TO CALIFORNIA.
The plan of selling California fruit by
auction embraces the benefits of all systems
that have hitherto been tried, and avoids
the evils attached to past and present
methods. 1t sends fruit through one chan
mel, and in doing so carries out the idea ex-
pressed by Mr.. Porter; and, again. the
fruit is distributed into the greatest possible
number of hands, and thus embraces the
point dwelt upon by Mr.. Hixson. 1t
brings about the keenest competition
among buyers, and thereby insures The
grower or shipper the highest market price.
As the fruit is quickly distributed into
great number OF retail hands, it destroys
the exclusiveness hitherto existing in the
retail handling of California fruits. and
likewise brings about keen competition
among retail dealers which must soon place
California fruits within the reach OF the
masses. Your correspondent would there
fore strongly advocate that the following
things be done and the following plan
adopted:
First-That State Convention of all
growers raising fruit for Eastern shipment
be held some time the coming month OF
November.
Second-That all persons engaged in
fruit East, whether growers or
otherwise, be invited to be present and to
take part in the deliberations of the Con-
vention.
Third-That the present bylaws OF the
California Fruit Union be amended so as
shipping fruits East, whether growers or
otherwise.
Fourth-That the combined influence of
all growers and shippers be used to gain
concessions in rates, in time and in facili-
ties from transportation companies. That
the number of cars to a train should not
exceed ten, and, if possible, even less.
That the kind of fruit cars used shall be
adapted to the purpose and that the time
of transit shall be much nearer passenger
time than has been made this season. the
rates from California to New York and
Boston must be reduced so as not 10 exceed
$3.50 or 800 per car, which is equal to the
present rate $500 per car from California
to Chicago.
Fifth-A thoroughly competent and fear
less fruit inspector shall be appointed,
whose duty it shall be to examine all fruits
submitted for Eastern shipments, and to
reject without fear or favor all fruits that
do not come up to the standard in quality
or packing.
Sixth-A reliable house to be selected in
each of the following cities Denver, Oma-
he, Chicago, New York, Boston, aud pos
sibly Philadelphia and Baltimore, to whom
as many carloads shall be shipped weekly,
semi-weekly, tri-weekly or daily, as the
market and other conditions may demand,
with instructions that all fruits be sold by
auction to the highest bidders.
Seventh-That the privilege be allowed
growers or shippers to name the destina-
ton of their fruits, but all fruits must be
sold by auction, and in no other way.
The purpose of calling a State Conyen-
ton is to submit to the judgment of the
growers and shippers OF California this
and such other plans for remedying exist
ing evils as may be offered, and in order
that their combined influence may be used
to back whatever plan may be adopted.
The reason for extending an invitation
to shippers who are not growers to take
part in the Convention and 70 join the Cali
torDia Fruit Union is because there is an
ample field in the Eastern market FOR both
as much so as for the Mediterranean
shipper and grower. whose cnnsignments
to this marker ST and side by side, ami who
do business in perfect harmony. While
there are many California growers who
prefer to 90 their own ship, ing and to
take their own risks, there are Others
who are not prepared TO do this,
who cannot afford to take risks nor
wait several weeks for their returns,
and would rather sell at fixed price for
ready cash to such as these the buyer and
shipper is benefit, and ought therefore TO
be encouraged. The question of reducing
trains from fifteen to ten cars lies entirely
with the Southern Pacific Railroad Com
pany The transportation companies be-
yond Ogden who have been interviewed by
the writer have verbally signitied their
Willingness to agree to such concessions,
and have explained that the matter lies
entirely with the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company.
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