Smyrna times., 1892-01-27


ut will be noted that ia 1890 the
shipments of berries fell off, which
was occasiOned by the weather forcing
the shipments of Maryland, Virginia,
Delaware and New Jersey at once.
The rains destroyed a great portion of
the crop. l must be plain, however,
that in no year was there an absolute
failure of the berry crop, while there
was no peach crop in 1890 and some
other years.
THE shipments of asparagus and
grapes cannot be given here, as there
has been no separate record of these
kept by the company. But the grow
ing of grapes has been increasing
every year since the introduction of
the spraying outfits for the purpose of
destroying insects and in years where
there has not been crop of other
fruits have paid handsomely.
The season of 1891 commenced with
an extraordinary large crop of cherries,
followed by large berry crop, reduced
the prices of our grapes very seriously
and very little money was obtained
from this crop. The early apples and
pears have invariably paid the grower
handsomely in years when there has
has not been heavy peach crop !;
there is no doubt, from information
obtained from notable growers, chat
in a series of FIVE seasons past there
has been more clear money returned
per acre to our growers from these two
fruits than from peaches. In the item
of berries there can be no comparison
with peaches, the berries in nearly
every season paying more to the entire
Peninsula than peaches. Another
point, the labor of picking and hand
ling small fruits being performed
almost entirely by women and chill
dren, the money is more evenly dis
tributed. The object of this article is
to show by statistics, not argument t.,
that we have gone above the limit of
producing peaches, and that it would
be we'll for us to diversity our products
more, and thus avoid the glut in our
markets. There is of course no doubt
that we can always retain the nearest
markets, that is Philadelphia, New
York and New England and points
east of the Ohio river.
"Phere have been erected along the
lines of the Delaware Division since
1874, over 500 evaporating machines
and canneries, and l find there was
canned and evapOrated on our terri
tory in 1879, in round numbers 500, ,O0O
baskets of peaches. In 1888 a great
many canneries aud evaporators were
in operation but we have no actual
figures to quote in regard to this year
| think from observation that there
were no peaches evapOrated in 1891
and but limited amount canned, thus
showing conclusively that we cannot
compete successfully with California in
evapOrated peaches.
Another thing, the canned fruit oi
California comes into direct competi-
ton with the Peninsula's fruit, and
although it does not bring the same
price, it fills the markets full thai
would otherwise be supplied from thi:
territory. Our canneries and evapOra-
tors have hitherto been the means O
relieving the market of a great amOun
Of fruit, preventing gluts, which other
wise occur in years of heavy bearing
Take the crop of last year, for in
stance, 3,196,7l7 baskets along Ou
lines alone; if we could have canned
and evaporated at a profit SOC, 900 bas
kets, it would have relieved the mar
ket and caused the rest of the crop t,
bring fair prices, but we could no
evapOrate as the price would not war
rant it.
I'm connection with this I will cal
attention to the market train which
has been put on this division for the &C
cOmmodatiOn of truckers and frui
J growers This train runs from nearl,
all points on Delaware Division Tues
days and Fridays of each week, direC
into the market house, thus avoiding
expenses of carting and handling
when our growers along the divisio
become thoroughly acquainted will
the profits arising from this train
3 which necessarily will take time, the
undoubtedly devote more time AM
! land to the raising of early truck, a
, climate and soil cannot be excelled 70
I this purpose in any region so near th,
? markets"