The herald., 1895-08-11
rRUITGROWERS' PROSPECTS
A TAX With an Extensive Whittier
Gamer
From . Combination Of Causes the Profits
In Canning This Year Will Be
SmaIl-Thc Interview

Robert H. Howell, the prominent real
estate dealer and fruit packer who oper-
ates large canneries in this county near
Whittier, was interviewed yeterday re-
Rarding the condition of the fruit indus
try in this section and the OUTLOOK for the
marketing of the present crop.
Mr.. Howell said that at 10 time since
be began to deal in California fruits W as
the packers prospect so Door as it is this
year. "All the canne-ies are working on
Q very small margin, with few or no sales
yet from she eastern buyers. Up to the
present date tha sales made to eastern
dealers amount to about oneth:rd of
whatlit has at corresonding times OF the
year heretofore" This oackwardness on
the part OF eastern buyers he attributes not
to an over-supply from other fruit produ-
clng countries, but an unwillngness on
the part of merchants to come into the
market at the outset, when prices usually
range higher than at any other time. The
manner of handling the fruit crop by
packers, taking as they do, large orchards
whose yield cannot be definitely estima-
ted, puts them in a position of un1er-
sainty as to the amount of seasons
pack. Thus they may have on hand af-
ter having filled all their regular orders,
an overplus. which has also to be dis
posed of. It is obvious that stock left on
hand cannot bs carried over till the next
season. 1t is therefore put upon the mar
ket, often in large consignm ents. ana its
sale forced, so to speak, at almost cost
price.
"Appreciating this fact, and knowing
that lower Iprices will prevail for fruit
thus remaining in the hands of the pack
ers, eastern purchaers are holding off and
1t is to this that we must attribute the
slowness Of the market this year.
"There is, however, probability that
the present condition will not continue
long. In fact the short crop of fruit
which some parts of the country have
produced is bound to leave prices normal
if not better than usual.
1.-The apricot crop has already been
disposed of. 1t was short in this section
of the country and all over the state. AS
consequence prices for green fruit were
higher. The canneries raid from $25 to
$35 per ton. -
now being cared for by the canneries.
Prices range from SIS to $40 per ton which
is about the same as tina. paid during the
last three years. This years yield is
very good in all the last named fruits.
pit pears, which. like apricots was
very light, and hence commands q better
price at the canneries. There is every
prospect of good demand for pears this
year; they are therefore readily received
by the packers.
Last year a grea. many OF the canner-
les put up what Is known as water
goods. that is fruit canned in water
insead of syrup. This was done to NIL
orders from large Cnricago houses. but
it was found that fruit thus canned did
not keep-the flavor instead of being pre-
served was diffused throughout the
liquid. None of the local houses are put
ring up fruit in this manner this year.
All that we have put up is preserved IN
its best standard syrup.
ut would be impossible to form any
estimate of this years output in Califor-
mia or to state anything further regard
ing the possibilities Of better eastern
m kat ~