The herald., 1895-01-19
IN THE COMMERCIAL WORLD.
Bradstreet's Weekly Review OF
Local Trade.
Orange Shipments at So StaRdstill
on Account of Rain.
Potato Exports and Impor The Dried
Fruit Trade Looking Up Pro-
duee Quo atoms

Los ANGELES, Jan. 10.
Following is Bradstree.'s weekly review of
trade for Southern California, and m lore parti-
eulary Los Angeles:
The present week has been dull one here on
account OF the uufavorabe weather, and the
general demand for goods of all kinds has been
limited. Several new enterprises some of
them of considerable magnitude, are being
limited at but such infolmalion as is obtain
able is neither definite nor authentic.
Reports from the jobbing trade concerning
results for the year just osed ara not as rule
favorable, and while the balances generally are
on the right sid, they are too small 10 compen-
safe foT the cunt of capita! invested. There
are soma notable exceptions. however, in some
instances handsome gains are reported
The year has been particularly trying to Job
bers in groceries and kindred lines. owing to
the fact that such large proportion OF the
failures have been among the ous!onlers OF this
class
TO those desiring to embark in business, for
unaccountable reasons this particular branch
of trade appears to Offer unusual attractions
and consequently many embark IL it withou,
out the requisite experience or ability to ADAPT
themselves to ii. Handicapped by these condi-
tionF, often Handicapped for sufficient cap tai,
and handling, so far RS it goes, n most difficult
credit problem, it is not surprising that the
commercial death rate is high il this class.
Then, again, with omparativeiy small mar
gin of profit, in no line ara the expenses for
selling and delivering goods relatively so high.
There is abundant opportunity Tor I'm improve
ment of the present sys en-.
Three failures in Southern California are re-
ported TO Bradstraets for the week, against nine
for the previous week and six during the cor
responding week in 1884.
THE ORANGE MARKET.
Rain continues to prevent shipment OF
oranges. Abundant orders are being received,
both by the exchange and the independent
shippers, but none are accepted except with
the proviso that shipment VIII be made when
the weather permi s. Should the ruin cease
immed ately it would be ali of week before
anything could be done III the orchards MS the
ground has received such complete 9oakiug
that 1t Will be imp0 i-ible 10 do sny WORK with
teams in the orolar q for some time 10 come.
SO far as heard no harm has betn done to me
fruit, put it is feared If heavy wind should
occur while the ground is in such soft condi-
tiol some of the heavy laden trees MIGHT be
blown over. There il also some danger Of the
fruit becoming puffy if vet weather continues
There not much arm about this, though MS
none OF the fruit is ripe ugh at present To be
much affected by excessive moisture.
There is no disposition in amy quarter to raise
prices, and the probability Is that no advance
will be made for so ne time yet
POTATO EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
At this time of year th3 que,tion IL often
asked, Why are northern potatoes quoted higher
than those of local production? Can not South
ern California groH all the potatoes she con-
sumes and of good enough quality for all pur-
poses? This is the question prop0unded by the
tenderfoot ! he answer Is that Southern Can
fornia not only can raise coed potatoes, but ez-
ports annually several thousand carload more
than are i'm ported here. Southern California
produces three crop of pot6taes in one year
The first two of these are gene ally raised With
out irrigation and ere as good potatoes as are
raised anywhere. The third crop ~ generally
from irrigated ground, ana the tubers as o rul5
are watery and do not briuG the highest mar
Iet price In the northern part OF the state
only one crop is produced and is generally put
on the market lat iE the TALL aud IS oil excel
lent quality. 1t is then that northern potatoes
are i'm ported to take the pla OF the southern
California third CROP Imports generally begin
the LIST OF Decembe: ana last I'LL the LIST of
March. At the latter date local spuds come in
in large quantity and OF good quality and drive
cut the imported article. Daring the spring
months many carloads of Southern California
potatoes are shipped east, Arizona, New
Mexico aud Western L 3Xls derive their sup
plies almost exc usively from Southern CGlifor-
mia. Up 10 the first OF May or June large guam
titles are also shiDpet to DENY I, kanse.s City
and Chicago. several years ago los Angeles
imported potatoes from salt Lake City but this
trade has entirely ceased. On the whole South'
ern California has no complaint to MAKE abou
potatoes. The amount received forJ exports
during eight months of the year. lar exceeds
that paid out for imports during the remaining
four months
DRIED FRUIT TRADE.
The dried fruit trade is ct last showing some
t:gns of revival. The demand for PEACHES is
picking up conslderab and IL is possible that
other dried trnits viii rise Ia qynpathy. The
Chicago price Tor peaohe; Y 66@e}zo; aerieotSs,,
5l506l5c; prunes, about AZ G5l5o Ehis would
make The local price 1gl19c lover 81 around.
EGGg AND gCTyER