The morning call., 1894-04-22
THE FRUIT CROP.
Large Yield and Good
Demand.
BLIGHT EXISTS ELSEWHERE.
Orchard Products in Eastern
Markets.
SLIGHT EXISTS ELSEWHERE.
EXTREME PRICES NOT EXPECTED
Compensation for a Shortage in
Wheat the Result of DIVERSE
fled Farming.


advantage of having diversified crops. In
earlier years, when the farmers devoted
almost their entire attention TO the grow
ing of wheaT. dry spring and the conse-
quent shortage in the harvest had disas-
trous effect upon all the industries of be
commonwealth. The farmers having
nothing to market were unable to pur-
chase their usual supplies. Now when one
crop is short compensation comes from q
good yield in some other branch Of agri-
culture or horticulture.
The system of irrigation for fruits and
vines is so general in the southern half of
the State where the least rainfall is to be
expected that a dry season does not affect
the small farmers, while in the northern
section of California there is nearly al
ways sufficient rainfall for the small
crops.
The wheat harvest will be less than an
average for the present year. but there
will be az least a half crop. The coast
counties, with the abundant moisture from
the ocean, are sure of a fair harvest. and
though there may be failure on the west
side of the San Joaquin River. the islands
and tue lands adj tcrnt to the junction OF
the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers
will have an abundant harvest Flowing
and seeding Is going on in the moist boil
tom lands of the islands in the rivers, the
burrows practically following up to the line
OF the receding waters.
The outlook for fruit both green and
dried is good. The harvest will be large
and the prices better than usual. The
outlook in the East for crop is not good.
In Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, &C
cOTding to the report of E. 5. Judge,
secretary Of the National Canned Goods
Associations, the peach blossoms When
cut open show a black heart. Canned
goods have advanced In the Eastern
markets from % cents TO 80 cents d,Zen.
The supply Of dried fruits is limited.
The prune crop OF this State last year was
between 50.000,000 aud 60,000,000 pounds
and this has all been taken.
In the Northwest, which is beginning TO
rival California in prune culture. the crop,
it is estimated, will not be a very large
one.
In the last two or three years the valleys
of the Grand and Green rivers, in Western
Colorado, have devoted many acres to the
raising OF peaches, apricots and grapes.
and have, in q measure, supplanted this
State in the markets of the mining towns
OF the central Rocky Mountain region.
pril froStS have cut the crops short in
that district, and California frultmen will
find an outlet for portion of the produce
OF tDelT OIcUdIuS anu FiUeydIQS III Tile
towns Of Colorado and Wyoming.
Fruitmen, however, declare that it is un-
wise to anticipate large advance in prices
in consequence of these facts, though they
believe the outside markets will be large
consumers of California-grown fruit.
In speaking of the situation yesterday
A w. Porter of Porter Bros. 81 Co. sad:
Prospects are good for the crop of fruit
in California, though not for so large a
one as was anticipated thirty days ago.
Continued north winds and dry weather
in some sections. late frost in others, have
injured he fruit to quite an extent The
continued reports from the East of dam
age to the peach crop, coupled with the
fact that early fruits have been badly in
iured. is having its effect on prices. and
growers are anticipating much better re-
suits or the crop nf 1894 than were realized
for goods produced III 1898.
"There has been an active demand for
the small stocks remaining on the coast,
and in no season for years past has dried
fruit been so well cleaned up as it is at
present. Consequently the new crop will
find clean market. and should bring fair
prices. The condition of the country is
such that high prices are not possible, as
past experience has shown that when ex-
IRENE prices are asked early in the sea-
son it has resulted IN stopping cOnsump-
ton. as the masses who are the consumers
of dried fruit can only use 1t at reason
able figure.
while a great deal of complaint has
has been made regarding the low prices
for the season just closed, growers
must consider that the condition of the
country was entirely different from any,
thing they have had to contend with for
years past, and in addition TO this they
were confronted by an enormous crop of
fruit East. With care in preparing fruit
for market there is no reason why the
coming season should not be prosperous
one to the frUit-gTowers, as l confidently
believe it will"
Nj. j. FOn tana of Fontana & Co.. fruit
packers and manufacturers OF canned
goods, said:
1.-THE outlook for a large fruit crop is
good. Vegetables such as tomatoes and
peas have suffered from the dry weather
but orchard fruits will yield well, though
the dry weather will have an effect in re-
ducing the size Of the fruit in some Sec
tons Of the State.
There will be good demand for ship
ment of frnit to the East in consequence
of the shortage there, especially of early
varieties. Cherries will be readily mar
Eetable.
E"Canned fruits of the leading varieties
manufactured in California for shipment
East have been well cleaned up, but prin-
ciDally by Eastern spectators in New
York and Chicago. l am afraid these
goods may be thrown on the market 10
compete with the new pack, if too large
prices are asked, because they were
bought at exceptionally low figures.
There should be large output of dried
fruits, and early shipments will. think,
command good figures. Later | look to
see prices recede. The condition of the
whole country tends to lower prices.
Neither green nor dried fruits will
command the tullesl price in my belief on
account of the industrial condition of the
nation. The labnring men are the large
consumers of orchard products. When
cannot go to the highest figure. When the
wage-earners are doing we'll they spend
their money freely. but when wages are
poor they cannot do so. much less when
out of employment, as so many labOrers
throughout the country now are"