The record-union., 1892-08-06

Sale of the First Arrival of Fruit-The
BritisherS Timid of
Iced Goods.

The first direct shipment of California
green fruit to Europe reached Liverpool
on Tuesday last and was offered for sale
at auction in London yesterday.
! Although the distance is over 5000
miles and the natural conditions ex-
tremely unfavorable, the manner in
which this particular shipment was
made offers the strongest evidence of the
possibilities of the future in opening a
vast and hitherto undeveloped outlet for
sale of the products of the State.
The signal success achieved in this
venture demonstrates beyond question of
doubt the opportunities which are now
placed within our reach. Until the ship
ment mentioned reached the point of dis
tribution, fully Is, 200, 900 people of Europe
were practically unacquainted with the
capabilities of California soil, climate and
productions.
Until the theory of refrigeration, as
| used in transporting green fruit through
long distances, was made a practical and
substantial success, the consumers of
California products never knew how to
appreciate the character and excellence of
our delIcately favored fruits.
Heretofore the use of ventilated cars
has compelled shippers to pack and ship
| only that grade and class of unmatured
| fruit as would offer encouragement in
the effort to secure delivery in sound con-
dition only. AS natural consequence
the desirable point of flavor was neces-
sarily eliminated from consideration.
Under the more approved plan of re-
frlgeratlon, the product can be permitted
to hang upon tie trees until nearly de-
veloped.
AS result our products are now deliv
cred into the hands Of ready buyers at
remuneratiye prices, for it is permitted to
attain sufficient size and tiavor-the most
essential points which all factors in the
traffic have been trying to determine. Ev-
cry scheme, no matter how practical in APP
pearance. meets with opposition until the
minds OF people become convinced uDon
the points Of practical utility, and then
only through the medium of absolute de-
monstration. When the use of refriger-
ator cars was first inaugurated every
shipper in the State repudiated the ven
ture upon the theory that fruit kept for a
certain length Of time under an ice tenn
perature would decay very rapidly after
being exposed to the air. That prejudice
was very strong, and it was not removed
until after the most severe tests were
made, and the result finally determined
| to the satisfaction of both shipper and
buyer.
The ventilated car theory has become
practically obsolete, except in very short
distance transit. Fully 80 per cent of the
green fruit is transported TO all points of
America in refrigerator cars However
the influence of that prejudice is fresh in
the minds of the uninitiated, and it is to be
regretted that the people of Europe have
yet to learn how to profit by the eX-
perience OF her American cousins"
The result of yesterdays sales shows
such to be the case; for, although the tele-
graphic reports prove that the fruit ar
rived in fine condition." and that it was
greatly admired" it also reports the
fact that "the English dealers declare that
refrigerated fruit will not keep suffi-
cient length of time to enable the trade
here to handle it with profit"
George Ii. Appel agent for the Califor-
mia Fruit Transportation Company,
which handled and transported the ship
ment, said last night he was more than
pleased with the result. The mere mat
ter of the prices at which the fruit was
sold cut no figure at all.
The main thing to be determined was
whether or not the fruit could be got to
London IN good condition, and this fact
had been demonstrated. They had the
same difficulty in the Eastern cities when
fruit was first sent there in refrigerator
cars. The dealers thought it would not
keep, but they soon learned their mis-
take. Now they will not have fruit
shipped in any other way.
1T will come out all right, assure
you," said Mr.. Appel.
The promoters of the important ven
ture are determined to let nothing stand
in the way of soon and effectually re-
moving the prejudice mentioned. The
greatest portion of the battle has already
been won in having the fruit carry in
perfect condition over such a long and
hazardous course; the question of keeping
quality will soon be demonstrated to the
satisfaction of people of Europe. When
that point is established our State will
begin to realize in proportion to the
magnified demand for her Incompatible
products