The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-09-05
DRIED FRUIT PROSPECTS.
Some valuable Hints that Should
be Taken.

DESTROYS of knowing something of the
prospects for the coming season in re-
gard to Utah dried fruits, HERALD re-
porter yesterday called upon a gentle
man who has handled many a carload
in the past, and from him it vas learned
that the demand of late is not nearly
so great as was that of two or three
years ago.
ITO what do you at ribute this2"
was the query.
Simply and solely to the fact that
our people are not as careful in drying
peaches, apricots aud plums as they
should be. In order to obtain the best
results, so that the fruit may have
a bright and clean appearance,
the peaches should be cut and
dried before they are fully ripe.
If they are taken when ripe the action
of the sun turns them black, and this
is a very Objectionable feature, so much
so that lind it absolutely impossible TO
dispose OF them. Another mistake also
made is that OF quartering the peaches,
and this practice must be abO i5hed.
shall be compelled to refuse a con-
signments of quarters. and must insist
that the fruit be dried in halves. Care
should also be taken looking to the pro-
lection of peaches, aprIcOts and plans
from the rain, for once wet they are for
ever spoiled, and cannot be disposed of
at any price. AprIcots and plums
should also be halved, and particular
care should be taken to put the apricots
in cotton sacks just as soon as they are
dried IN order to protect t2em from the
moths. which otherwise play havoc
with them, and thus materially reduce
their value. Apples and pears should
be fully pared, as there is no sale for
those dried with their skins on,
and 1t will merely be a loss to
those who may thus dry them.
The whole fact of the matter IS that our
Utah fruit growers have become very
careless in regard to tue methods used
in drying our excellent fruits, and nave
almost commenced to think, to Judge
from tn, ir actions, that anything would
do. so long as II was for sale. This
careless and Indifferent manner has re-
suited in the production of some in
ferIOr goods. and as a result our repu-
tation III the market for dried fruits is
not nearly as good as it was wont tC be
IN the days gone oy. look for a fair
sale of dried fruits this year, however,
although, OF course, it is little early
vet to presage just what the result will
be-"
About what is the revenue from the
dried fruit crop of the Territory ?"
1T will vary, believe, from $50 900
TO 100000 a year, and when this is
stated 1t will be at cnce seen that it is
an important item OF home industry
that should be fostered and encouraged
by every means within our power. This
cannot be done, if the fruit is put upon
the market in an inferior manner to
that supplied by the east and west. To
regain our reputation for the best dried
fruits in the United States. it is only
necessary that6ur fruit growers should
remember the following: First-Cut
peaches, apricots and plums in halves
only; cut peaches before they are too
ripe, and thus preserve the bright and
attractive appearance. SecOnd-Pro-
tect all fruits from the rain. Third
Thoroughly peel all pears and apples.
If these directions are followed pro
ducers will have no difficulty in dispOs-
ing of their dried fruits and obtain
fir and reasonable price for their
labor -