The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-03
THE MERITS OF PRIMES.
California, After Making Thorough
Test, Chooses the French.

California, After Making Thorough
Test, Chooses the French.
LOWELL, Wash, May 30, 1891.
To THE EDITOR: The response TO the inquiry
made in the issue of the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
OF the 18th ult In regard TO the merits of the
French and Italian prunes, by r. ". Hoskinson,
of Earie Harbor and s. Z. 8. G., OF East Sound,
in the issue of May Z, together with the letter
from J. F. Cass, OF Skagit City, published May
Ii, is very gratifying because 1t shows DISPOSE
ton on the part of people interested In fruit cul
ture to discuss the question, as well as the spe-
ciai information derived from these different
sources. am no crank with q hobby to ride,
neither am interested more In the French than
the Italian prune; but having had considerable
experience in fruit culture while living in the
state of California, and having seen many Or
chards either worked over or dug up, am anx-
ious to avoid that kind Of experience for myself,
as well as my neighbors, here in Washington.
Working over and digging up are both exceed
ingly unpleasant things to do, and II Is far more
profitable to plant right In the first place.
am under the impression that the fruit
growers Of Western Washington have never
had their fingers on the pulse of the Eastern
prune market, sufficient to even determine
which brings the best price in that market, let
alone deciding the question OF which is the
most profitable to cultivate and lay down on
that market, with an eye to the net proceeds.
Ipurposely mention the Eastern market be-
cause the prune is largely the favorite here
with those planting for an investment beyond
the family wants, and 1t is reasonable to expect
that soon after full bearing of the trees already
planted is had, we will be compelled to seek
something beyond local market; and as the
question OF net proceeds demands an investiga-
ton of the market TO be used, as well as the
cost of production, feel that it Is wisdom to
talk this matter over, and If possible ascertain
to certainty-as California has done-which
prune has the largest net proceeds in the New
York market. The question of the largest net
proceeds lies closer to my heart than any indi-
vidual preference or local popularity, and
can but suppose that the majority of men are
the same; hence, when we have fully discussed
the question of cost of production and the mar
ket, we have reached the end of the profitable
part OF the question. No one viii
deny the assertion that California,
by her experience in the markets
of the East, is fully competent TO decide with
accuracy which prune has for them the most
money, and they are unit for the French
prune. Now taking Into consideration the
fact that California can raise the Italian
prune to just as great perfection they can the
French, and TO as great perfection also as IL can
be done in this Sound country, or in the more
favored districts for the prune in Oregon, it
seems reasonablsto suppose they would grow 1t
In preference to the French if there were more
money in it. The cost of production, curing,
etc, must BE- largely in favor of the French
prune with them over the Italian, or else il Ia
not true that the Italian will bring the most
money in the market. It In true that large
part Of the prunes in California is cured out of
doors in the sun, but in the Coast counties the
curing is done by mechanical evaporation. the
same we here in Washington will be obliged
TO do. The cost Of curing Is the most important
factor TO consider in the cost of production and
should be looked after closely before planting.
The larger the fruit the greater the cost in cur
ing: the proportion OF the cost being in proper
ton to the size The larger size also en-
hanees the risk OF making a good fob in
curing. yet have to learn that there has been
any serious question raised in regard to the IA
cinty OF growing either of the two varieties in
washington. OF course here, as elsewhere, the
olnerenee IN soil. climate, ETC., in the different
Localities IS sometimes favorable to one variety
more than to the other, but believe the French
IL pronounced the most prolific bearer in most
! localities The splitting of the French prime m
| some localities is almost the only objection
| raised by the friends of the Italian Whether II
really is a valid objection from my personal OF
/ perience in the handling OF the fruit, cannot
say. IL is said that the cause of the SPLITTING in
Washington. and not in California, is the fact
| that the more rapid growth here on account nj
the growing season being shorter than in Cali.
fornia, has tendency to produce a more tepdar
ana brittle skin, which fact may prove a bless
ing, and possibly be the only point VIC ,,sx
have over California in regard to the excellence
| OF that fruit For a tough skin is ALWAYS tn n.
aohorred In cured fruit. The appearance of the
iruitwhiie II remains on the tree shows no in.
| dieation OF rotting, mold, or anything vronc
and it is only when lying in bulk for a 70 - va
that 1t shows signs OF molding, and / doubt N
when dried even an expert can detact cha
fact OF its being split before curing. Ths d;fsr.
enee OF individual opinion in regard to flavor.
acidity, etc, OF the two varieties cuts M ,,rs
except When planting for family use for such
! questions win all be lost sight of when con.
tempiaang an account of Eastern sales with tba
net proceeds in prominent figures at the ho,,o-,,
VI ali the wants OF agriculture, the ,ruit indus.
| try Is no doubt the best adapted for rbat :.
| called the FIR uplands of Western WashinC.o,
such lands being largely in excess NJ ho,to-,,
LANDS, IL Is reasonable to presume that we Macs
the prune in the front of the exports n,os,,oss
by agriculture. Circumstances over 49, -
has no control will probably bring n ahor,
| The cured prune will then be our specisI,r-
The man who owns few acres of xeiirs,,
land and 10 able to harvest 100 bushel, OF ost ~
| the sore cannot see II thus, but the man who
passes over our large tracts OF fir upiands wbe-a
taefe are AVVo acres to one of sediment land,
can readily see that there can rossihrv
| be no other outcome to the eons;,;o-.
and wants OF such lands shouia .bs
above conclusions ever be realized Wa 80.
certainly stand tscs 10 face with California A.
| market day. California presenting a nni,sd
front to the extent of complete and nerssct
specially In the little French or Petit PRIME
dAgen can We taking all things into considers
| ton, ever hope 70 successfully comns,a -.
alone rival, her In market with the ItsIisn Ta
do either We must produce cheaper. or ~ Mt
cheaper. we must get higher price. moro thsn
sufficient to cover the difference in cos, ot 30
oue;ion.i Can any one who fsyors the I.sisa,
show byNany facts or figures how we car axnsct
10 DO thiss II such facts exist, If ought to b
easy 70 explain FOR years gone by California
has been shipping train loads of the -
French pruue, and here in Washington. wishonr
any experience whatever, we are pIanfins
Iislisn. The question 10, Why?
Il B. ANYWAY