The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-09-08
SALE OF FRUIT.
Plans Proposed for Information Re-
garding Supply and Demand.
The Board of Horticulture Under Eff
Gent administrator - Proposed
Extension of It's Functions.

To avert such disaster as has overtaken
the wine trade, and as all can see is rap
idly approaching the raisin trade of Cali
fornia, q more thorough knowledge OF
conditions Of supply and demand is i'm
peratively demanded by fruit-growers of
California. With quality steadily better
and quantity rapidly multiplying, we are
managing questions of production fairly
well. When we see the wine men throw
up their hands in mute despair, and the
notes of the sad wall that came up last
year from Fresno have hardly died away
| in our ears, we realize that the question
| of distribution is one in which they have
failed, and TO which other fruit interests
should give the most careful attention.
The producer should have within his
reach the information now accessible only
to dealers at great expense. In the re-
cent canvass Of the fruit interests the fol-
lowing is a compilation Of what seem the
most practical measures proposed:
Dealers will continue to manipulate all
matters under their control TO their indi-
vidual profit. When growers combine to
market fruit the common result is that
one or two develop into dealers and the
| balance drop out Of the ranks,
A knowledge Of the market implies
statistical information of demand and
supply and wide correspondence with
business houses. This should be accessi-
bic 10 the public and to the newspapers
and under administration of someone
who would not be tempted to make it a
source of individual profit.
Regarding questions relating to pro-
duction, the State Board OF horticulture
has rendered very efficient and econom-
zeal service. Having had occasion to in
vestigate its work and reports l fully be-
lieve it has saved the State dollar for
every cent it has cost. The expenses ap-
proximate one-fiftieth of per cent. of the
annual fruit crop Of California. Now it's
functions could be extended to embrace
the question Of distribution much more
economically than to constitute a new
board for that purpose.
Suppose they had d correspondent in
every fruit producing district of the
United States, who should forward
weekly reports during the season when
the probable yield was a matter of ques-
tion. Through the Departments of Agri-
culture and of State they should have
similar advices from competing coun-
tries, especially from France, Spain and
Italy. Information regarding demand
should be as complete and explicit. This
would involve good correspondent in
every market and considerable use of the
wires. 1t would particularly require a
very able man to make a study of the
English market. When experimental
shipments are received he should be able
to do very much what Buckingham did
for the Nacaville people in Chicago, and
be able to advise the shippers in what con-
dition goods arrived, what satifaction
they gave and offer suggestions for i'm
provement. A little of this would be
a great help, to shippers of both
! fresh and dried fruits. 1t has
been suggested that this information
! be made available by weekly bulletins
| and constant access to parties interested.
| Others think it would be quite as well to
! give free access to reporters and let the
papers make it public. There has been
! some disposition in past sessions of the
| Legislature to turn the light upon trans
actions OF the various State Boards with
| a view to consolidating or abolishinC
| some of them. Horticulture has grown
| TO be so prominent an industry and one
| so intimately connected with the general
prosperity of the State, that anything
done to furnish necessary information
officially can hardly be classed as partak-
ing of class legislation more than harbor
! and river improvements or laws relating
| TO restraint of debris. The present condi-
| ton OF the fruit trade is such that think a
general discussion will develop the prob
ability that as much work and money as
| is assigned to the department of produc-
| ton could be spent upon that of diStribu-
| ton with results even more favorable.
| The subject is worthy of extended dis
| cussion by the State Horticultural Soci-
| ETY., Oranges, Alliances, and the papers,
and of being brought up as non-partisan
| legislation next winter.
FRANK S. CHAPLIN.