The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-19
EASTERN FRUIT SHIPMENTS.
A Satisfactory Year for California
Fruit Silippers.

Fruit = Shippers.
The annual meeting of the stockholders
Of the California Fruit Union was held yes
terday in the rooms of the State Horticul-
tursl Society. The report of the secretary
was read, showing that the fruit shipments
last year have been generally satisfactory.
Although last years fruit crop of this
State was not large one, Eastern ship
ments exceeded those of any previous
year, and prices were in most cases fairly
good California fruit shipped East last
year met less competition from domestic
fruit than in any previous year, except
ne 1899. During the year the union
shipped 10 the East 1854 ears, of which
number 104l were refrigerator-ears, contain
ing twelve tons or m ore per car, and 562
ventilated-cars shipped by freight; leav-
ing ninety-one ears shipped by passenger
train. During the year 1891, 1887 cars of
fruit were shipped East, showing an in
crease OF 307 cars for last year. These
figures show only the amount shipped by
the union to their agents, not taking In the
California fruit shipped by private indiyi-
duals.
The cherry shipments were not as heavy
last year as they were the year before,
but the results were generally satisfactory.
Bartlett pears generally arrived in good
condition, and sold well. owing 10 light
Eastern crop. Plums Of all kinds were light
in California, and consequently only mod
crate shipments were made at very salts
factory prices. Peach shipments were very
heavy and realized fair prices, except In a
few cases where the local crop was heavy
and the market overstocked. Apricots were
shipped in considerable quantities from the
earlier sections of the State and sold well.
Grape shipments were fairly heavy. but
the general quality of The grapes WAS not
good, being small and inferior. Still they
sold very well, especially few of the last
cars shipped. The FIRST car OF fruit was
shipped from Nacaviile May 20. and the
last from Wrights November 81, making
shipping season of six months and seven
days for 1892.
The complaints of the poor service of the
railroads were so frequent that at the last
annual meeting the board instructed the
president and secretary of the union 10
attend the meeting Of the TranscontineDtaI
Railway Association which was held al San
Diego last year, to make an effort TO secure
lower rates Of freight sehedule-ilme frult
train and minimum weigh. OF ten tons for
all cars. but nothing could be done while
they were there. They succeeded later in
getting an assurance from the railway COM
pany here that, while they could not reduce
the rate. it would put on a fast through
freight train. which would carry the iruit
from Sacramento 10 Chicago in 40 hours at
a fiat freight rate. This assurance. in the
early part OF the season, the railway COM
pany carried out: but as tie shipments in
creased in volume delays came thick and
fast. until the time from point Of shipment
to Chicago was generally eight or nine, and
sometimes as long as twelve days, and this
all in the warmest part of the summer.
causing heavy losses TO the shippers.
Resolutions were adopted BY tie union TO
be sent 10 the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company, 10 the effect that lower rates, q
reduction in refrigerator-car service and
better time will be required for this season.
The following board of directors was
elected by reclamation for the ensuing year:
l.. w. Buck. VacaviiIe; W. Il. Parker,
NacaviIle; J. Il. Anderson. San jose: A.
Block. Santa Clara; IL. w. Meek. Hay
wards; J. c. Boggs. Newcastle; Webster
Treat. Davsville r. c. Kills. Yuba City,
and David Reese, FlOrin.
AS it IS necessary for the board Of dire
tors 90 meet within ten days after their
election TO elect president and secretary,
the board met after the adjournment of the
union and appointed }. H. Anderson presi-
ident and l.. w. Buck secretary.