The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-09-11
ITEMS FROM NILES.
A Superabundance of Fruit.
Orchardists' Syndicate.

| Edttor Morning CAT: Fruit has been so
plentiful in this valley this year that the
Gamers have not taken anywhere near half
| the product, and the prices in the markets
have been so ridicuously low that the
! grower has been compelled to dry a great
| quantity, whether he would or not. For
| the first time since fruit has been raised for
| profit, tons upon tons of peaches are rotting
on the ground. The two or three short
heated terms, too. caused much of it to be-
come 50 over-rpe that the Gamers refused
| it, and it was too ripe either for market or
| to dry. The petite prune is smaller than
usual this season on account of the large
| crop; the silver prunes are scarce, but are
very large and will probably bring fine
| price.
The rush in peaches is about over, but
the work in the prune orchards is now at
| its height.
California has gained an enviable reputa-
tion for her blooded stock, both cattle and
horses, in the past few years. 1t is hardly
necessary to mention the success which has
| attended the different stables which are
represented each year in the East, and in
the local or county fairs held each season
| one can see cattle and horses with pedi-
grees rivaling any in the United States. 1t
has been left, however, for Niles man to
make new departure. AS far as is known,
no really fine thoroughbred hogs have ever
been brought into the State, so Perry MOr-
ris0n is the pioneer Importer of the Poland
China hogs, having brought two from New
London, Iowa. They have pedigree
which goes back to the seventh generation.
The aim has been to produce the greatest
weight In the shortest time, and with the
least feed. When fully grown these hogs
easily weigh 1000 pounds, aud are salable
at any age, often weighing 300 or 400 pounds
at eight months. 1t is we'll known that
Iowa raises more hogs than any State in the
Union, and 1t is stated upon authority that
| nine out of ten hogs shipped into Chicago
are of the China-Poand breed.
The Alvarado beet sugar factory will
soon be III active operation. 1t is estimated
that the output this season will probably
reach 100000 pounds, making the bounty
TO be received $4,000, not a bad interest on
the principal invested, which is about $780,
000
Circulars are being sent out by fruit
growers association in the neighborhOod of
Santa Rosa, calling attention to the con-
tinued low prices of dried fruits, and call
ing for a meeting of all fruit-growers who
may desire to form dried fruit Eastern
shipping agency, doing away as near as
possible with mlddlcmen. They argue
that the Shipping of fresh fruits East,
directly from the grower to the consumer.
has proved a great success, both parties
being benefited, and that the same ought
to prove true with dried fruits.
Fresh fIut being very perlshable article
it is possible to see how the supply does
control the prices almost absolutely, and in
handling fresh fruit the commission man is
necessity TO the farmer; but different
state of affairs should exist concerning the
dried article. The moment fruit is dried it
becomes, 10 all intents and purposes, non
perIshable. The supply and demand should
be The only two factors to control or make
the prices a commission merchant merely
making his commission. As the matter stands
the demand cuts no figure whatever, and
one OF the greatest products of California
dried fruits being used as a basis for
speculation by these middlemen. 1t looks
this year very much as if the syndicate,
about which so much was said in the fall
and so little just lately, was working very
successfully The only remedy, however.
is with the farmers. Let them cooperate
and ship to the Eastern markets direct. 1t
will take time, but would eventually sue
coed, Just as surely as Eastern fresh fruit
shipments have done.
Cards are out inviting all those interested
in the forming of a Chautanqua circle TO
meet on Monday evening at the parsonage.
1t is expected that quite number will join.
The cards were gotten up by the Boys
Printing Club, and were very neat. The
church notices and programme OF services
were also printed by them this week.
The slight showers on Saturday morning
and afternoon and the threatening sky
caused quite scare in the orchards a bout
town. Tons upon tons of half-dred peaches
and prunes are on the ground, aud rain of
three or four days would mean an immense
loss. 1t took some lively Scampering to
! pile tray upon tray in huge piles and cover
| them. Prunes are not so quickly hurt, but cut
| fruit would quickly mildew. A few hours
a Iart
or three days rain would result in immense
losses.
The Ladies' Guild held its first fall meet
ing last Wednesday at Mrs. III. G.. Els
worth'S The ladies went at IL O'Clock,
taking refreshments, and remained until
4 80 o'clock in the afternoon. A very COM
preheDsive report Of the years work was
made by the Secretary. Mrs. H. A. Mayhem.
The only debt remaining is about $500 on
the parsonage and about $500 on a new
piano which the ladies have purchased.
Within the past two and a half years the
church and parsonage and necessary lots
have been purchased, and the entire amount,
except the two small sums above, has been
raised by the guild, or the young people of
the two societies-S. &. +. and Kings
Daughters.
The same officers were reelected, with
the exception of the Treasurer. Mrs. Ford
having resigned. Mrs. J. Tyson was elected
in her stead. Mrs. II. Tyson was also added
to the DIRECTORS. The officers are: Mrs
James Slim. President; Mrs. Ed. Clarke,
Weep resident: Mrs. Ii. A. MAYHEM, Sec
rotary; Mrs. j. Tyson, Treasurer; Mrs.
| Ellsworth, Mrs. Clough, Mrs. C. b. Over
aeker, Mrs. H. Tyson aE1 Miss Amy Kerrell,
Directors. After the election of officers a
general plan of work for next year was
discussed and the ladies adjourned to meet
in two weeks at Mrs. Mayhew's.
The election notices are posted calling an
election for next Saturday. the 18th. to de-
eide whether the ten districts signing the
petition shall form Union High School
District or not; without doubt it will be
carried by very large majority.
S. yesterday is rapidly rebuilding upon
the aite of the recently burned hotel. 1t is
said that be intends to build several stores
to let.
During the fruit season everybody is so
extremely busy that there is always a
dearth Of social news.
Grapes will begin soon to be shipped,
beets to be dug, and almonds to be picked.
Many acres of the dry, brown hills are al
ready planted waiting for the first rains.
The last hay stacks are being baled and the
few corn-fields are being harvested. Within
few mere weeks everything will be
snugged up for winter and the tired farmer
will be busy counting his shekels and res ting
Mites, September S. 1891 MRS. L. E. THASE.