The morning call., 1894-06-04
NOTES FROM NILES
The Fruit Crop of Alameda
County.
Proposition to Establish a Fruit
Dryers Exchange to Facilitate
Sales-Corpus Christi.

NILES, June 2-The seasons work
fairly began with the shipment of cherries
about two weeks ago. There will be a
heavy crop Of this fruit of all varieties. but
it is not of extra size. The Gamers ara not
buying much OF this fruit at this time. so
1t is sent-that is nearly ALTO market.
The showers of the month of April
were acceptable to fruit-growers, as we'll
as hay and grain farmers; but the recent
rains were too late to be OF any great
benefit.
Every variety of fruit promises large
crop, and already large sums of money
have been paid out TO thin the crop. As
the crop increases il size and a larger
acreage is devoted to fruit each season,
the subject of cooperative fruit-drying
and fruit exchanges interest the fruit
grower. Fruit exchanges have met with
entire success in other parts OF the State,
and an earnest endeayor is being made
here under the auspices of the Fruit
growers Association to organize a fruit
exchange. A State fruit exchange was
organized few months ago, and it is
through its endeavors that exchanges are
now being organized in different parts OF
the State.
Several meetings have been called, and
while n9Adnal action has been taken and
no corporation formed. there seems to be
so much interest taken that it is very
likely that one will be formed. Commit
tees have been appointed to inquire about
the rental of suitable grounds, the actual
expense of buildings and machinery and
to solicit if possible the support of all
fruit-dryers.
The plan is about as follows: Each
grower takes a share of stock valued at,
say S15, for each acre of fruit TO be dried.
paying down two-thrds Immediately. 1t
is calculated that it will cost 2A cents
pound to dry. sack and deliver the fruit to
the station. The farmer only picking and
delivering 10 the drying grounds.
The advantages are: The fruit is graded,
Is of q uniform color. is housed in good
| warehouses, and being in large quantities
is easier sold than in job lots. rs it were.
| by the individual grower. The disadvan-
tages are: The ground is deprived of the
| assistance of several members of his fam
lily, for in almost every orchard wives and
daughters work in the fruit, anu would
not work out" any more than they would
60 as household servants. although they
may do their own homework always.
Again every grower wishes to be his own
seller. 1t certainly would be almost an i'm
possibility TO select any one here who would
let others sell his fruit for him. A gentle
man who has dried his fruit for several
years found that for three consecutive
years MS actuai expense In drying was
52100 cents a pound, which included
packing and every expense until deliv-
cred TO the depot. The difference between
rs cents and 2 50. 100 cents Is very small
1t would be i'm ossible in this paper to
consider the cost of trays, boxes, teams
and personal labor comparatively. Large
growers can hardly find exchanges other
| wise than TO their advantage, because of
the necessary personal expenses. while
with small growers 1t is a question.
| The great question raised is that better
! prices can be secured. In distant sections,
where each grower cannot get TO the city
! quickly and cheaply, that is true, but here.
where each grower has his finger on the
| pulse OF the market, it is an easy matter
Tor every one TO secure the best price his
| fruit will command.
IL is estimated that at least 5000 carloads
of California fruit will be shipped East
| this season.
On Corpus Christi day special anniver-
sary service was held in the little Cath lie
church here by the Rev. Father Nugent.
The church dedicated two years ago has,
under the able guidance of Rev Father
| Caraher. been remarkably successful.
Mrs. j. l.. THANE.