New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-26
GROWTB OF THE BANANA TRADE.
IMMENSE INCREASE SINCE THE INTRODUCTION
OF THE FRUIT IN THIS COUNTRY


IMMENSE INCREASE SINCE THE INTRODUCTION
or THE FRUIT IN THIS COUNTRY.
The annual banana trade is now about mid-seasen
Iis volume and importance are astonishing even 10
those who are directly Interested in the business.
while those OF the general public who are unfamiliar
with ito details have adequate conception OF It's
size only a few years ago the aggregate importa-
ton OF bananas into all American ports OF entry
was utterly insignificant in comparison with the
many millions OF punches now annually received
Bananas according 10 researches made and sta
ts,ics complied by Isaac Tuck. Editor OF The Fruit
Trade Journal" were hrst imported into the United
States In 1901 when Captain John ~ Chester. OF the
nttle coasting schooner ReyEard. brought here a
small invoice consisting OF only thirty punches
After that other small lots were occasionally re-
ceved during the next tyenty-slx years until the
spring OF 1890 when John Pearsall OF the firm Of
/ A. r PcarsaN chartered the schooner Harriet
Smith 20 transport this city A cargo OF LOO
punches OF bananas, when was the mrs. fu'i cargo
OF that fruit received here During the next
twenty years from two to three small cargoes were
annually received About the year 1857 William e.
Bllsx began the business of importing bananas regu-
arv AT first Mr. Bliss had his vessels ply only
between Baracoa and Boston. but as business IN
crea obtained the fruit from other sources OF
supply ill., In 1871. ne imported bananas from vari-
Gus places where they are grown into several Amer
lean ports.
the senior member OF which died recently. was or
ganzed in this city for the purpose Of extending the
trade. j. f. Kerr & Co. Wesse's Co. and other
local firms also engaged extensively In the banana
trade. which has since grown with wonderful rapid
ty. and the fruit Is now brought here from many
sources OF supply. including Baracoa. Jamaica. Port
Llmon and Guatemala from the plantations OF
which Otto G. Mayer & Co. one OF the most extern
slve Of the comparatively few local importers or
bananas. receive frequent cargoes ranging from
1900 10 5000 punches each bananas are now trans
ported from the sources OF supply to the various
ports of this country on large fleet OF steamships
built for and especially adapted to the carrying OF
IN. fruit California receives a considerable supply
from the Hawaiian Islands
The active banana season begins In March and
ends In July The fruit Is shipped green. II 1t were
rlne II would in most cases. be in unmarketab.e
condition when received here. and entirely UNFIT for
distribution among inland cities. While the great
bulk Of the trade is transacted during the five
months OF March. April. May. June and July. limited
shipments are received at considerably earlier and
later dates and bananas are the one species OF for
elgn fruit which is be found in this market
every month in the year.
The total Imports Of bananas into this country for
the six years from 1889 1894 inclusive. was in
round numbers. about 100000 punches. or an
average OF about l2,G0OO punches annually
which we're delivered at this port. New-Or-
leans Philadelphia. Boston Baltimore. and Mont
real Canada. This port headed the lis III Vouie vi
receipts In 1889 since been far outstripped by
New-Oreans. which largely supplies the southern
and Western markets. The great prestige gained by
the Crescent city Is attributed to the superior
wharf and railroad facilities in that city, where
freight approach within My feet Of the ran ma
laden steamships The freight trains have from
twenty to thirty each and soon as these are
loaded swift locomotives drag them quickly TO
their destinations the trains on account or their
perishabe loads. having the right OF way over All
other trains including even passenger trains.
During the active season the total OF receipts OF
bananas at this port frequently exceeds l50wV
lunches q week. and several caryoes. aggregating
from 5000 to $1,000 punches. are sometimes SOD al
are classified as ''nrsis" seconds" and thirds.
but thes designations simply indicate the size OF the
lunches and the number OF bananas which they con-
tain. and have reference to the quanty OF the
fruit The average number OF bananas IN punch
or frsts' liz from rs to $50. and In "seconds about
one half many the average number IN buncnes OF
thirds being proportionatcly less At the pesinhms
OF this year "hrsts sold at wholesale for ABOUT
90 cents a bunch. but on account OF decreased re,
last year and OF the extensive froezlng OF the fruit
while being loaded here. prices were Sharply aa-
vanced. and when warmer weather SET n accom-
panled by a largely increased demand, win no coMi-
mensurate increase OF supply. they temporary.
reached the unprecedented high price or from ~ 70
TO 81 IA bunch for "hrsts.' according TO SIZE auamty
and condition Of fruit. seconds ana tnrds osins
sold at proportonate prices on May H. since men.
on account Of greatly Increased receipts prices nave
Is 81 rs a bunch, seconds and thirds seng ~
the usual ratio Several large cargoes are nov que
here These will be followed BY others In rapid sue
ssion 20 that the future supply Will De eounos"~