Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-11-18


sugar by the grocer. In other words, frui
| should be treated Dy the railroads of this coas
| not as fancy article. to be made to bear
fancy tariff, but as a leading staple, worthy Il
! be transported at the least possible cost
Rcsolped That a committee OF ten growers ant
shippers be appointed by this Convention to la,
copy of these resolutions before the railroad
authorities, and ask First, that the present re
strctions be so modified that ten carloads or les
shall constitute S30Orate fruit train. That tn,
rate upon cars by passenger trains be $500 pc
car, and that the slow freight rate be $500 pc
car. Second, that the rate to such Eastern
points as New York, Philadelphia, and Boston
be made not TO exceed s400 per car. Third, tina
passenger time be guaranteed; and, fourth
that a sufficient number of cars suitable for the
fruit carrying trade be provided. Be it further
Resolred, That an association be formed, to bt
known as. the California Fruit Exchange anC
that all persons raising or shipping fruit fol-
Eastern markets be eligible to membership
Resolred, That such association, through III
management. appoint commissioned agent in
every Eastern city that can use a carload oil
more of California fruits at time, and that the
MANAGEMENT, by compiling such facts and sta
tistics as may be at their command, arrange a
table of distribution, subject to such changes
and notifications as the market may from time
to time demand; and it shall become the duty
of the General Manager of such Fruit Exchange
to regulate the distribution of all fruits strictly
in accordance with such provisions.
Resolved That said management also establish
regulations to control the quality. the weight
and the manner Of packing all fruits offered for
Eastern shipment, and that its inspectors reject
such fruits submitted for shipment as do not
come up to the established requirements
Resolved That the Eastern agents be instruct
ed to sell all fruits which may be consigned to
them by the Exchange. by auction, ut public
trade sales and in no other way, the auction
GERS charges to be paid out of the commissions
allowed these agents.
Resolred, That members of the Exchange shall
be allowed the privilege of naming points of
destination for their frllitS and the further
privilege of nam ng their own consignees and
it shall be the duty OF the general manager to
faithfully observe such wishes, provided the
space allotted to such points of destination be
not all taken; aud provided such members
also instruct their consgnees to sell their fruits
by public auction, and at the same time and
place at which the fruits consigned to the agent
of the Exchange are sold; and finally, be it
Resotued, That the management of said Ex-
change shall make such rules as will place all
members on level, and will make it iinpossi-
BILE for any member or members to permanently
monopoliZe any special market, to the exclusion
of other members.
The resolutions were debated all after
noon. All seemed to favor the tenor of
them, but when it came to the subject of
an organization of fruit-growers to regu-
late matters, there was lively discussion.
Messrs. Buck, Hatch and Thomas thought
the matter should be turned over to the
California Fruit Union. This precipitated
a lively debate, and the-old fight between
the Fruit Union aud the Sacramento Fruit
Growers Association was brought to the
front. The Fruit Union was handled
without gloves by Messrs. Reuter-, Ste
phens and Blackwell, while Messrs. Hatch
and Buck defended it with equal
pertinacity. 1t was shown that the Fruit
Union had been losing institution, while
those who belonged to the Sacramento
Union had realized handsome profits on
their entire crop. The debate at times
almost approached personalities. There
were frequent interruptions and calling of
speakers to order. The resolution was
finally lost, and of course it carried with it
all that followed. This left them in a
dilemma. What to do, and how to do it,
was the next question. Finally vote pre-
vailed appointing three from the Fruit
Union and three from the Sacramento
Association to provide substitute for this
resolution and submit it at a special meet
ing to be held at 7:30 this evening.
At 5 P. NJ. the Convention adjourned to
Z p. NJ.
Evening Session.
The Convention reconvened at p NJ
The subject of discussion was berries and
tree pruning.
THE STRAWBERRY.
The following able essay is from the pen
of |. A. Wilcox, of Santa Clara:
Mr.. President and Members of the Contention ::
The small fruits, so far as the Pacific coast is
concerned, embrace the strawberries, raspber-
ries, blackberries, gooSeberries and currants.
These fruits until within the last few years,
have been regarded chiefly as luxuries but at
the present time they rank also as the most
wholesome of food, besides containing medi-
cinal properties of great value.
STRAWBERRIES.
minister is said to have remarked that God
might have made better fruit than the straw
berry, but that He did not do it. In their wild
state, Strawberries are found in almost every
country and in almost every latitude-in the
meadows, on the hlllsldes, and In the noun
tains. The Alpine mountains have their own
distinct variety. History informs us that about
400 years ago this fruit was cultivated in the
north of Britain, where it assumed changed
appearance, being round in shape and white in
color. The white berries were named the wood
The Alpines were introduced into England
two hundred years later. The history of this
variety shows it to be 50 persistent in reproduce
ing its original characteristics that but little
change is found, after long and varied expe
rience with it. 1t finds natural home in the
cold northern regions of our own country.
Under cultivation, by means of irrigation, this
wild fruit becomes darker in color, has less dry
ness and solidity, as it contaiGs an increased
amount of water in its composition.
OTHER VARIETIES.
Two other varieties of this fruit are reported
as known at the time above referred to, both
having the color of the wood varieties,
In 1850 gardener in France is said to have
produced the first new and improved variety,
the original characteristics of which, we are
told, were maintained one hundred years there
after. lesson is here taught us, that it is only
from the seeds of fruit varying from the original
type that we may look for new varieties.
The Virginia strawberry, so called, is the wild
strawberry found in our Eastern pastures, woods
and meadows. This variety was introduced
into England some two hundred years ago.
where experienced gardeners found it to pro-
duee varied kinds from the seed.
This is the variety from which nearly all of
our best kinds originated, and they possess the
natural fragrance and beauty which we find
among the choicest kinds now cultivated. IL is
true local conditions and varied systems of cul-
tivation may change the appearance and quail
ity of the fruit STILL our distinguished bot
anist DR.. Gray, classes the varieties found in
the Eastern and those in the Western States of
our country as belonging to the same species,
however much they may vary in color and
other characteristics. This fact borne in mind
will show the reason why our leading kinds of
cultivated berries do not do well in ALE ioCali-
ties and all kinds of soil, even where suitable
ingredients are found in abundance for produc-
ing plant and fruit.
1t follows, therefore, that we of the Pacific
coast can never foretell the value of new kinds
of this fruit brought to this State. 1t requires
actual experiment to determine what will
prove good in each locality. While many of
our Eastern productions will prove pissably
good in some section or other on the Pacific
coast, / know of only on5 kind among all the i'm
portations that has proved of much value here.
refer to the Triumph de Gand, a Belgian va
riety.
The old stsnch variety, the Longworth Pro-
life, sill maintains its high character in small
portion OF SANTA Cara county, where the great
est share ofthis fruit is grown for our markets.
But even here it is only in limited sections,
even in the strawberry region, where it has
maintained its prestige. After twenty five years
of experimenting, it is, everything considered,
the best we have, although discarded in the
place of its origin, in Ohio.
The strawberry region of Santa Clara is en-
braced in section of land about six miles
broad, and extending back from Alviso at the
head OF the san Francisco bay Here the straw
beauty in the early spring These vast fields with
their white blossoms and ripening fruit, are the
admiration of the beholder the most of the year.
sFEcrAL CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS
Among the favorable conditions for success
are suitable soil and proper cultivation. Gil
matte condition also exercises controlling in
fuence. While the plants are producing their
new foliage a damp, cool atmosphere is suitable
for the purpose but as the fruit attsins its size
a warmer atmosphere and brighter sunshine
are needed 10 give color and perfection to the
fruit.
some varieties may require light soils, while
other kinds will do equally well. under our sys-
tenn OF irrigation. in the heaviest land. The
Iongworth, which sends its root out near the
heavy land But it requires much care, in cult
yation not to iniure the roots, and this rule is
of prime importance in the cultivation OF any
variety of strawberry. After the fruiting sea-
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