The herald., 1895-01-03
PRICES FIXED FOR ORANGES
MOI t Demands Of the Fruit
Exchanges.
ALittle Advantage Taken of the
Florida Freeze.
Some of the Growers Inclined to Hold Out
for Higher Figures--The
Outlook,

Judoine bv the action of the executive COM
nittee the Southern California fruit ex-
changes have no feeling that because there has
peen a freeze in Florida they are going to cinch
the consumers and get fabulous prices for their
fruit. Up to yesterday afternoon the fruit
exchanges had made no quotations, except for
the holiday trade, which is generally very lin
tied and the prices realized no criterion of the
market for the general trade. General quota
lions have heretofore been made about Febru-
ary LIST, when heavy shipments usually begin.
This year. however, the exchanges are pre-
pared for business a month ahead OF the regu-
lar time, Notwithstanding the fact that the
fruit is a little late in ripening.
PRICES FIXED.
The executive committee of the exchanges
met at the central office in the Phillips block
Yesterday afternoon and fixed prices for the
opening of the season as follows;
Fancy California navels, free on board cars,
81. 90 per box: choice, 81 10; standard, Sl.50
Fancy seedlings, 500; choice, $l.3o; stand
ard, $1.20
Compared with the opening prices OF pre-
yious years the exchanges do not appear to be
taking advantage OF the conditions in the east
brought about by the Florida freeze. 1t may
be, however, that as the season advances and it
becomes apparent that the trade Will stand ~,
these prices will be raised.
The prices above quoted will govern all the
cooperative fruit exchanges in Southern Cali
fornia eight in number, as follows: Semi
Tropic fruit exchange Los Angeles; Orange
County fruit exchange, Orange; san Diego
County fruit exchange, San Diego Riverside
fruit exchange, Riverside; San Antonio fruit
exchange. Pomona Duarte fruit exchange,
Duarte; San Bernardino County fruit exchange,
Cotton; Queen Colony Fruit association, South
do nd rnll limo a r.
dfths of the entire crop.
SOME GROWERS ARE GREEDY.
whether all the individual growers in the ex
changes will be satisfied with the prices as set
by the executive committee, is doubtful. as
many of them unquestionably think they
should realize bigger profits III view of the
elimination of Florida fruit from the market.
it is apparent that some of the growers who
have not entered the combine will stand out
for sitter prices. One of the largest independ.
ent packers yesterday remarked that some OF
the growers have gone crazy over the Florida
freeze. Prices are asked that are beyond all
reason.
FEW DRAWBACKS.
There are several elements that must be taken
in consideration when figuring on the probable
demand for California fruit. Competition from
the Mediterranean is liable to be more formids-
Bile than had been antici pated. Un Deem Der
28th there ahoat for New YOak $4,000
boxes of sicily oranges, as against II, 900 at the
time last year, ana $4,000 boxes OF
lemons, com pared with 14S, 600 last year. This
fruit shipped before news OF the F orida
frost had reached the other side. 1t is there
fore probable that shipments from abroad Will
be greatly increased.
prominent local shipper also gave it as his
opinion that great deal of the frozen fruit
would be shipped from Florida. The eastern
market would be flooded with cheap fruit, and
sales of good fruit ut igh prices would be diff
cult in consequence. There was one cons0lu-
ton, however. Florida oranges when frozen
very soon begin TO rot so they must be worked
off rapidly Frost affects California oranges
differently. II takes the lice out of them, out
they retain their natural appearance and can
be Kept longer on the market
II is not probable, in view of the facts cited
above, that the market will reach its b'st be-
fore about the LIST of March, when California
fruit will, for the first time, have the market
to itself.
Another thing that initiates against high
drices is the hard times at the east People
have little money spend on Injuries, and
high prices will deter many from using oranges
that otherwise wodld
THE DANGER PERIOD.
The general opinion OF the orange men is
that if the 10Th of this month is passed without
a damaging frost The crop will be safe. The
crit cal period extends from December 2Oth to
January 10th, and has been passed over safely
thus far.
meeting OF the orange growers will be held
at the chamb Der of commerce January 10th tC
formulate plans for the citrus fair, The frui;
exchanges will take hold and maize the comine
fair the best ever held in the city.
BAN FRANCISCO ORANGE sALEs
SAN FRASCIsco, Jan. "A carload of nave
oranges sent up by The Glendora association o.
the San Antonio Fruit exchange so d today at 6
range of 81 3 lD2. 50 per box.
THE NEW YORK MARKET.
New York, Jan. 2-Oranges are strongly
held; fancy, So 75@3.00; others, $1.5092. 80