Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-26
AN ALLEGHENY OASIS,
Where Cool and Luscious Fruits
Tempt the Tired Traveller.
FORMING A WATERMELON TRUST
Neville Island as a Producer Of the De-
lectable Asparagus.
BRIsKDEMAND FOR ALL KINDS OF FRUIT

watermelons big, watermelons little,
watermelons green, watermelons ripe, long
and short, heavy and light, cool, crisp and
sweet, all piled up in tempting heaps, at
tracted the attention Of the thousands that
thronged the Allegheny market yesterday,
while the countless multitude that passed
the fruit stands, which dot the streets of the
city like SO many garden spots from tropical
lands, lost sight for moment of the wealth
of rich, rare exotics and turned a longing
gaze on the lucious high-priced American
watermelon.
'This favorite melon" said Mr.. Isadore
Brown, the Federal street fruit merchant.
last evening. "is now with rs to stay. There
is only one variety, the Georgia cob gem, in
stock at present. II is the earliest species,
and leads them all. This seasons crop is
heavy, and after the first rush is over prices
will drop. Good Georgia watermelons fetch
from 30 cents mp just now.
A MELON TRUST.
1--WE used to import Jersey watermelons,
but the growers raised them in close prox-
unity to pumpkins, which destroyed their
flavor and killed them In our market. A
melon growers trust has been formed In
the South, and the price of watermelons
will be held up as long as competition can
be Kept out"
The citrullus vulgaris, which Is only the
watermelon In disguise, now seen In the
market IL handsomely marbled with dif-
ferent shades of that suggestive Emerald
hue, symbolical of hope. But all fears
may be laid aside, for of numerous cuts
made the fruit showed up splendidly, delic-
ious to the taste and pleasing to the palate.
Cold nights. and wet weather have played
sad havoc with the canteleupe. The condi-
tions have been most unfavorable to good
crop. This rich product requires q warm,
dry climate, and in the absence of that the
few muskmelons that are now in the market
are not possessed of any very inviting ap-
pearance or flavor.
There is one peaceful isle where the tossed
bark of hot, roasting humanity in Allie
gheny anchors for a while, and that is in the
cool, delightful shade of the cleanly kept,
freshly stocked market house. Scores of
perspiring pedestrians, sveltering in the
heat of the hot sun, dodge in the doors Of
the market to escape the burning rays and
rest their eyes in delight on the enticing ar
ray of fruits, vegetables and meats that are
beautifully displayed on the many stands.
AN ALLEGHENY OASIS.
To those who long to free themselves from
the gathered dust Of toll and care flung over
them by the steaming, busy world outside,
this market retreat is like breath from the
green fields and voiceless woods. The sight
recalls the beautiful country when charm
ing, lovely spring comes tripping in, bear
ing rare blossoms on her fair bosom and fill
ing all the earth with song. Yesterday the
various booths were peculiarly attractive,
owing to the fresh supplies Of new vege-
tables and the pretty, sweet-smelling flow.
ers whose perfumed breath nlled the busy
merchants and erowding customers with new
life.
"What variety are thsse?" was asked of
Mr.. Leech in regard to some particularly
fine looking tomatoes.
Acme" was the answer, "a smooth, per-
feet tomato that gives the best of satisfsc-
tion. The Beefsteak, though larger, Is not
so round, but the difference in flavor is not
noticeable. They all come from Tennessee,
but there will be no call for them after the
native varieties start in in July"
PLENTY OF BLAcKBERRIEs.
Black berries and raspberries jeweled the
stands proiusely, and people stopped to look
at the tempting boxes filled With the de-
lectable berries.
The black berry crop Is immense this sea-
son, and the quality OF the goods without
flaw. The delicate richly favored red
raspberry is now keeping company with its
darker hued brother, the "black cap"
Stra berries have seen their best days, and,
while the quality Ii gradually going down,
the price is steadily rising.
Of all the choice vegetables now In season
that make one fond OF indulging in the
pleasures Of the table. asparagus has the
call. The rich, firm variety that is sold
over the counters of our markets In Pitts
burg and Allegheny makes most delecta-
BILE dish. A brisk demand sprung up for
this particular vegetable in the early part
of the season, and the trade is as lively as
ever. The supply will hold ont until the
latter part of this month.
NEVILLE ISLANDS PRODUCT.
The most highly favored locality for the
growth of asparagus in this section of the
country is on Neville Island, where the best
goods sent here are produced. The cold,
wet weather Of spring prevented an abun-
dant crop, but the supply in stock is equal
to the demand. The choice of the people
leans strongly toward the fine green and
yellow string beans and peas that fill the
market now.
There is brisk demand for fruits and berries
among Alleghenians. and from present indi-
cations this point is one of the strongest
markets for the country producer. There
are few exceptions, and one that is sur
rounded by an air Of particular sadness and
woe came to light the other day.
DEAL IN STRAWBERRIES.
"A Liberty street commission merchant
who shall be nameless, received a consign-
ment of ID cases of strawberries over Adams
Express not long ago. They were shipped
by an enterprising grower from some olt-of-
the-way place, away from railroads and
else, and were packed in home
made, leather hinged boxes. Naturally, the
berries were in horrible condition when
hey reached Pittsburg, and. after the sale,
returns were made to the shipper inform ing
him that his strawberries had failed and
hat he owed the commission merchant "a |
tents.
This would have crushed any ordinary
being, but our strawberry friend was in for |
business, and be shipped another lot of ten |
,ases But somehow his strawberries were |
to shake up the Pittsburg market,
md, instead, OF that, when they were shaken |
I'D, the commission merchant, after deduct |
ng brokerage and charges, remitted the |
hipper the muni6cent and grand proceeds
# 20 cents in stamps.