Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-27
WESTINGHOUSE FRUIT SUPPLY.
The Watermelon and the Trade In This
and Other Fruits.
A STROLL AMONG THE WHOLESALE DEALERS
THE WATERMELON CROP AND HOW IT Is
BROUGHT TO WASHINGTON ABOUT cANrA-
LoUPEs, PEARS AND OTHER FRUITS.

BROUGHT TO WASHINGTON ABOUT cANrA-
LoUPEs, PEARS AND OTHER FRUITS.
The scenes about the establishments Of the
wholesale fruit dealers in Washington just now
present pleasing and animated appearance.
Stacks Of Grated peaches, huge piles of water
melons, rows of carefully boxed pears and bar
rels of cantaloupes feast the eyes of the passer
by. With all of these products the season is
just opening, and choice selections of either
find ready purchasers and generally bring
good round prices
Washington" said a prominent Louisiana
avenue dealer to representative of The STAR
though what might be called merely con-
| sumptive market Is one OF the best in this
country IN the long run. Large cities like
New York and Philadelphia do not, as a rule,
prove the most profitable for consignors, tax
ing In the entire season. They provide steady
demand for fruits and produce it is true and
on that account attract the large shipments
which so frequently cause "gluts,' at which
times consignments bring consignors into debt
Such thing rarely occurs here. It is true
prices get low and some stuff is spoiled, but
the supply never exceeds the demand to such
an extent that disposition cannot be made of
1t at some price. when received promptly and
in good condition. No great boat loads or
train loads of fine ripe fruit are taken and
dumped into the river when caught on an over
crOWueu market 10 save handling and time COM
mon to the larger cities"
Then, again, it may be said when particu-
lar fruit or product is wanted and found to be
scarce, there are those, and not few, who are
willing to pay any price to get them. In the
early season Strawberries brought IS a quart
at wholesale, figure, so far as known higher
than reached at any other point. Thus, it is
claimed, that those who ship steadily to Wash
ington, through bad as well as good report.
generally find the average result better in
Washington than any other place.
RED TO THE RIND.
The fruit most abundant just now, and the
one that can fill the largest cavity for the least
money, is the watermelon. They are plentiful
and cheap, aud getting cheaper as the season
advances. Walking along B street or Louisiana
avenue, westof the Center market building, one
sees them piled in pyramids by hundreds, of all
sizes and varieties. The best melons to be had
now are from Georgia and are selling at
80 to SlS per hundred. The best for eating
are the select round ones from the fact that
they endure shipment better than the long
ones, rolling instead Of humping about en-
route, thus preserving to greater extent their
frmness. They are six to eight days on their
way and are brought through without change
by fast freight over the Richmond and Dam
vile system, which company is exerting itself
to facilitate transportation. It would appear
on casual thought that water Transportation
would be preferable, but such is not the case
Freight charges are somewhat heavier, but ex-
perience has taught that by rail the fruit
reaches market sooner and in better condition
SHIPPING MELONS BY Raj.
A fruit train sometimes contains seventy
carloads of melons with about 1000 to
car. This is equivalent to good ship load.
The ordinary train, however, carries thirty TO
forty cars. In many cases the melon is taken
directly from the field to the Car and it is not
disturbed until 1T reaches its point of desti
ton. The utmost precaution ia used to keep
them in good condition. The fruit cars do
not hold the melons in such large bulk as
boats, hence the air is enabled to get at them,
very necessary matter. No attempt is made,
and probably never will be, to handle the
melons in bulk or barrels. They must be
passed from hand to hand, and long lines of
men are formed for that purpose. The rail-
road people claim that less handling is re-
CURED by rail than by water, and the point is
doubtless good one.
SHIPPING BIT WATER.
The nearby crop comes later on and mostly
from the eastern shores Of Maryland and yir
ginia about Norfolk, which is the central shin.
ping point, and the lower Potomac. Our own
Eastern branch" people raise some good ones,
fore the public appetite has been Somewhat an
peased and the senegambisn vacuum largely
filled. The melons from the nearby section
are mostly brought by water. The loading of
steamers ~ Nor1olk Is something interesting
especially those large ocean-riders which tafs
their melon cargoes to the larger cities.
LOADING A STEAMER.
The big steamers generally arrive at Norfolk
In the early morning, as they stop over half .
day to fill their lower decks with the fruit
when the city 10 just waking. Not q melon e
then IN sight except one or two lost ones, per-
haPs, tossed about by the restless water and
eagerly watched by . number Of watery-
mouthed boys intent upon taking them In out
OF the wet, 90 to speak. Presently in the ofing
numerous sails dash white and red under the
early sunlight They come from James river.
Accomac and Northampton across the bay, and
the inleb and creeks within 20 or 80 miles Of
Norfolk, and Al they come nearer chow
s ina ,,.., they belong 70 pungies, biG
craft lying close to the water under their
weight OF Melons. They all appear 10 be
racing, ~, indeed, they are, % q 70 secure Q
position nearest the hulk Of the steamer
Within an honr after their appearances they
are packed seven and eight deep about both
sides OF tho vessel, and By the time
she steamers passengers have finished
breakfast numerous lines Of men have
formed across the bosts, I'll the lines conyere-
ing 70 the cpening, IN the stssmsr's hold.
INTO which, during The next few hours, the
melons are rapidly tossed untn forty Of AfH
thousands are piled between deckn. The strap
ping coiored men work Hike automatcus, keep
ing time with their work b. low chants, inter-