The herald., 1893-10-19
NEED BETTER FRUIT.
Train Boys Fatl TO Properly Impress
Travellers.

Traveiere.
Itwas formerly y matter OF complaint
by people coming 10 Southern California
from the east, that they found great
difficulty in getting fruit either on the
trains or at fruit stands, except measly
specimens that made them think the
accounts they had read OF our fine fruits
we're fairy tales.
The press kept calling attention to
this state of affairs 30 persiHtently that it
brought about partial reformation.
both in quality and prices OF fruits dis
played by the retail dealers, where the
great majority OF travellers buy their
fruit.
For time also there was an improve
mentin the quality of fruit which was
sent out on the trains and sold by the
newsboys. But the same old complaints
are heard again now, and with renewed
viG9r, by almost every traveller who
reaches Los Angeles.
They meet the same small, poorly
tasting and ill-kept specimens OF fruit on
the trains, sold at two or three prices
and wonder what is the matter. Some
times, indeed frequently, the companies
which manage the train service send out
no supplies OF fruit at all, and travellers
can get none, no matter what price they
would be willing to pay for it.
This may seem very trivial matter,
but it is astonishing how many lasting
impressions are formed from just such
trivial things.
On train coming into Los Angeles
yesterday was party of tourists who
were making their first trip to Southern
California. They were well-to-do peo-
pie from their appearance, and evident
! ly predisposed to enjoy the marvellous
profusion of fine things to be met with
which they had been led to expect.
From the time they had struck the
fret glimpse of luxurious orchards and
been charmed by the fret impressions
of the promised land, they had been
vainly endeavoring to obtain some OF
the products.
The train boys looked at them super
ciliously, and seemed to be very much
bored at their oft repeated requests for
some of the fruits of the season. There
was not particle of any kind OF fruit
on the train. When the train would
stop at station some one of the party
would go out and vainly endeavor to
buy at leaet something OF the kind. 1t
was a regular Barmecide feast, and the
enthusiasm of the tourists over the
beautiful sights with esssd from the Car
windows gradually evaporated and
feeling OF disgust took possession of
them.
One of the gentlemen belonging to
the party said to a HERALD reporter
that while it seemed little thing to
complain about, he could not for the
life OF him understand why the railroad
companies did not see to it that just
I-a k,o l~4b nA 1vatr,
and the lack OF enterprise that gave such
bad impression to newcomers rem
edied.
Attention having been directed to the
subject by the complaints of the tourist,
a trip was NJ ade amongst the fruit stands
upon different streess of the city. The
quality and variety of fruits carried by
them Is vastly improved over what it
was a few years ago. but it is still way
below what it should be.
1t has been the grape season for q
month or two past. OF course the fruit
stands have grapes and the proprietore
will assure you that they have the very
best quality that is in the market. But
this is not 80. Very few people who
buy their wares but find how poor in
quality the grapes are which they pur-
chase.
The same is true OF almost all kinds
of fruits that are displayed. They are
mostly snare and delusion. Itis
only occasionally that these complaints
are brought to the surface. But they
ever present, and the things complained
OF should be remedied. "a as
"What," said one of the train party
above referred to, "a fruit country and
no fruit ?"
"That's just the reason" replied the
train boy, there is 30 much OF it
around we don't get any,"
"The tenderfoot is expected to rob the
orchards, then, suppose" remarked
the gentleman in a disgusted tone Of
! voice.
Go into the restaurants and hotels and
the same poor quality of fruit, as COM
pared with the magnificent displays
made upon show occasions, confronts
! the stranger within our gates. 1t would
be laughable if it were not so aggravat-
ing to see the pitiful little dried-up
/ specimens of grapes, peaches and all
kinds of fruits grudgihgly doled out in
these places. 'ei
Our citizens and travellers alec, should
insist on getting better fruit, and at
reasonable prices.
rYrn y1rfcphNn nRcEDTzn HRD