The morning call., 1892-07-08
DRIED FRUIT.
Growers and Packers Planning
an Exchange.
It Is to Be Established in San Francisco
Details to Be Reported-A Santa Clara
County Experiment.

A dozen or more fruit-producers from Diff
ferent sections had a meeting yesterday in
Horticultural Hall, 900 Suffer street, to dis
cuss proposition to form fruit exchange
or State Association, which should have a
hand in regulating the dried fruit market.
The conference was in response to a call
sent out lately by special committee of the
State Horticultural Society. 1t was the out
growth of discussion which has occurred in
the society from time to time.
A L. Bancroft, the bookman. who now
takes pleasure in raising prunes and cots in
the shadow of Mount Diablo, presided. and
E.W. Maslin. formerly OF the State Board of
Equalization, whose ranch is in the Placer
foothills, cted as secretary.
Plans and suggestions being called for
Colonel Philo Hersey of Santa Clara County
told OF the lessons taught blythe exchange
system established among the fruit-groNers
OF the west side OF the Santa Clara Valley.
Tho West Side Fruit-gr0werS' Associ alton
was only Incorporated last season, but il
has been successfully managed, and last
season packed over 40 tons of dried fruit
1t has frst-claSs plant for drying, located
on a 20-acre tract Producers can bring
their green fruit here to be dried. or can
dry and bring in the product TO be stored
and marketed. Advances of from 90 to 70
per cent on the valuation of the fruit are
made when desired. No commissions are
charged for making sales, bnt the proper
tionate expenses at cost are deducted when
the return to the producer is made.
1t is Colonel Hersey's idea to have similar
exchanges in all leading fruit districts. and
TO have one central exchange where sam
piles can be shown and sales made located
in San Francisco.
Il would organize just as | would an
army, only l would not select majOr-gen-
eral first, but rather have the companies or
ganlzed and then secure head"
Receipts of the association last season
were generally satisfactory. Prune ship
pers found that prices averaged up so that
they Melted S37 90 on the green product
The association will probably pack 500 tons
OF dried fruit this season.
At the afternoon session. when more
growers were present, further plans were
called for.
Mr.. Agee of Dixon favored central or
ganiZati0n. with headquarters In San Fran
cisco, where samples could be held for buy
ers TO select from. Fruit dried or green
should not be rushed East to glut the mar
ket. There should be complete liberty for
the producer IN case green fruit is handled
Frank Buck of Vacaville thought gener-
ally organizations are too cumbersome The
simpler the better. All that is needed Is to
have manager who will keep himself well
posted on prices. Directors might perhaps
Tx the minimum price on fruit sent In TO be
sold. Prices may be kept higher than one
is apt to think. Every apricot in California
could lie sold this season at 10 cents a
pound II the buyer could be assured the
price would not go lower. Growers gener-
ally will not be willing to give an organIza-
| ton absolute power 10 market the fruit. =
What does it cost to dry fruit?" asked
| one gentleman.
Il can put dried fruit in sacks aboard the
| cars for cents a pound" said Mr.. Buck,
land that will be equivalent to getting $50
| ton Tor my green fruit"
| could not sell under 10 Ppnts and c0rna
/ out eYeD," said Mr.. Agee.
| Mr.. Bancroft read an outline OF his eX-
/ change plan, the object of which is TO pre-
vent competition between different sections
| facilitate marketing AID 10 make advances
| to producers. There should be headQuar-
tiers in San Francisco, where samples will
| be kept Practical growers will be direct
| oTs. There will be a manager at $500 a
month and two assistants. salaries to be
! paid out oil, surplus receipts. Commission
| OF = per cent will be charged both the pro-
Queer ana the buyer. To start the scheme
| going, subscriptions guaranteeing expenses
VIII have to be secured. Directors Will be
paid $40 apiece for each meeting they
attend.
the plans ali right" said Mr. Buck.
| critically; "the only thing is the feasibility
OF getting producers to turn over their fruit
10 the exchange. believe individual pro.
ducers can get better prices than any ex-
| change. Green fruit can be handled by an
! exchange as in the case of the California
| Fruit Union, but green fruit is perishable
| and has TO be sold, while dried fruit can be
| kept Indefinitely The Fruit Union is de-
clialng in power and, 1t is possible, Will
| not last another year"
X. {. Kell thought the plan worth trying.
| so did l.. w. Masn and J. II. Webster, and
long argument followed. 1t was con-
tended that If price is liked by the ex-
change early in the season it will regulate
| the prices for the season.
1t was agreed TO leave details of arranging
| an exchange System. based on suggestions
| made at the meeting, to a special committee
| which will report as soon as possible.