The herald., 1895-03-27
A Better Tone in the General
Produce Markets
SLIGHT CHANGES IN PRICES
Latest Advices From the Eastern Orange
Markets
Heavy Arrivals Of Foreign Stock Still Keeping
Down Prices--commisson Men
Cutting Quotations

n The anticipated improvement in tho
Eastern orange markets is still holding
off, in consequence of which there is some
dissatisfaction among growers who are
anxious to realize on their product. The
Fruit Exchange is. however, standing
pat, and so far has not made single
shipment on consignment. So far the
members have been held together, and
there have been no defections from the
ranks, as it is believed by presenting a
firm front, they will yet come out on top,
and the establishment of an f. o. b. mar
ket will be secured. The advices from
the East indicate so far there is no trou-
bic so far as navels are concerned. as they
are not brought in direct competition
with foreign stock, though it now looks
as if there would have to be some conces-
sions on seedlings if it is expected to re-
alize in the near future.
In connection with the present depres
sion in the California orange industry, a
brief resume of the conditions governing
the market will be of interest at this
time. When the news of the disaster to
the crop in Florida and the damage to
the foreign crop was first received, the
quotations for fancy California navels
were ~. and for choice, S1.75. 1t was
thought that this was too low and strong
GERS of the Exchange to advance the rates
so cents per box. Under this pressure
thes price was advanced to 81. Is for
fancy navels and $1.90 for choice, and this
price has since been maintained. 1t APP
pears, however, that the damage to the
Sicily crop was not SO great as was sup
posed, and the increase in the price of the
home product at once had the effect of
starting heavy consignments from abroad,
which have been sufficient to kill the
home market for the lower grades, and,
owing to the tightness of money, there is
not that discrimination which character
ICES buying in good times. In other
words, when money is tight an orange IS
an orange, and the fruit that sells the
cheapest has the call, irrespective, to a
certain extent, OF quality. AS the freight
on Messna fruits to American ports is
only 80 cents and the duty but % cents
box, making total of 81 cents, whereas
the freight on California oranges to the
Eastern markets is 80 cents per box, it is
plain that the home product is at disad
vantage.
Then, too, the commission men are a
disturbing factor, and they are cutting
under the exchange quotations. Advices
from Chicago yesterday were to the effect
that Earl is playing smash with the mar
ket there. He has fifty cars in sight, to
say nothing OF what he may have outside.
These oranges are said to be- in most in
and they are offered at 75@$1 box in
Chicago. Just how this is managed is
something of a puzzle, when it is remem-
bered that the freight alone is 80 cents
box. One solution is that the fruit is
shipped in G. L. Il. cars which of course
earn mileage for the commission men,
but where the margin comes in for the
grower is not apparent.
Advices from Chicago yesterday were to
the effect that thirty cars of choice Mes
sinas. were on sale at that point at 81.
AT Boston cargo of Messinas is also
offered at 81. Ten cars of foreign fruit is
also on sale at st. Louis. In each in
stance the market is reported overstocked.
At Minneapolis Schwan Il Son are offer
ing fancy navels at ~, and Earl is re-
ported to have offered carload of navels
in st. Paul at $1.90. At Dubuque. Ia
Earl is also reported to have, made
special offer of choice San Gabriel seed,
lings at $115. Pittsburg, Pa, is also re-
ported overstocked, quotations being
$1.50@2 From the above statement the
orange growers can draw their own con-
illusions.