Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-25
FRUIT In ANY SEASON.
How q Dealer Is Able to Sell Peaches
and Grapes in February.
PRESERVED BY COMPRESSED AIR.
Strawberries From Florida Already on the
Local Markets.
FAIR PROSPECTS FOR THE NEXT CROP

In the window OF a downtown fruit store
are to be seen the first strawberries of the
season. The price is 81 box, but even at
that rate they are in demand. They come
from Florida, where, at this season OF the
year, the luscious berries are hourishing.
Every pedestrian almost who passes the
store, stops to look into the window, which
is loaded down with variety of fruits out
of season. Pears, peaches, Malaga grapes
and oranges take up considerable of the
space. A small basket of peaches bears
this pretentious sign, First time ever seen
in Pittsburg in February"
The proprietor of the store, who is \ clever
Italian, explained how he was able to make
such show in the fag end of winter The
peaches, pears and Malaga grapes are
bought in the fall, and are carefully pre-
served in cold storage rooms. Ice is not
used. but they are kept in an atmosphere of
compressed air. The grapes are packed in
kegs with Liberal allowance of sawdust
placed around them. The best Of the grapes
are sold for 40 cents per pound, and the
price runs down as low as % cents.
Fancy Figures for Rare Fruit.
The peaches retail at So 80 per dozen, and
the pears bring from 80 cents to 81 per
dozen. The dealer stated that even at such
rates it was not a profitable business, and he
added these features to his store to keep uD in
terest in his general trade.
1T is not generally known" he continued,
that the orange crop was a failure last year.
When the blossoms were the thickest they
were frosted and the result is that the fruit is
pulpy and lacks juice. In one section along
the Indian r,ver the oranges escaped the frost.
and they sell for IS 30 per box, while the others
are worth So so. The difference in the fruit is
apparent when the oranges are cut. One is full
of juice and flavor, the other lacks both. and is
hardly fit to eat. According to my reports
now. the indications for better fruit cropnext
year are good. but it is feared that-if the warm
weather continues the trees will blossom too
soon. This Is one of the dangers always to be
feared IN a milo winter.
"Bv the way. the grape fruit and tangerine
which introduced several years ago. are grow
ing in popularity in Pittsburg Both are a
species of orange, and some people like them
as well. IL is becoming quite the thing to cut
the grape fruit in the evening. cover it with
sugar and eat it at breakfast instead of
oranges"
A Collection of Chinese Nuts.
In :he window of the store is a collection of
Chinese nuts called laing kok. They look
something like an old Roman lamp. When
placed in water they develop into pretty vine
on which lily shaped flower grows. The
Italian stated that q number of fakirs grew
the vines from the nuts and sell them at a
high price for Chinese lilies. They make as
much as $40 per day on very small capital.
To keep fruits successfully beyond a season
1t is best not 10 use Ice, as some Eastern COM
mission houses do. Pears for instance pre-
served in this way, will turn black inside of ten
minutes after being removed from the re-
frigerators. Fruits out of season are always
rare delicacies and much appreciated by cpl
cureans. Young fellows struggling with the
first symptoms of the tender passion think
there is nothing nicer TO give to their best girls
than basket Of fruit, and who ever knew
naidens, dear creatures that didn't like how-
ers. fruits and candies? These three, 'alasi are
the faith, hope and charity of their daily
dictum.