The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-27
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,
An Encouraging Outlook for
Marketing This Seasons
Fruit Crop.
REPORTS FROM ORCHARDS.
In Several Localities Fruit Trees
Have Been Badly Damaged
by Frosts.

An interesting meeting Of the State Hor-
ticulturaI Society was held yesterday, al
which was discussed the outlook far mar
keting California fresh and dried ifuils
during the coming season. Reports we're
received from the members on the condl'
ton Of the orchards in various parts OF the
State. The Capri fig is now being received
from Smyrna at Mr. Roeding's place al
Fresno. Quarantine Officer Craw stated
that fig insects or flies which carry the
pollen TO other fig trees are received III
these figs and doing well A. i. Hatch,
who has orchards in Golano, Tebama,
Alameda, Contra Costa and Butte coun-
ties, stated that the apricot and almond
crops were badly damaged by the frosts.
The cherry crop is light. 2. T. Walton OF
Yuba City reported that an unknown dis
ease had destroyed the pear crop, and at
one orchard not over 80 boxes would be
harvested, where 5000 were gathered last
year.
u. A. Cannon of Sacramento stated that
in his locality the apricot and pear crop
would be light. g. 2. ReZford of Tulare
reported that the 'frosts Of TWO weeks ago
bad destroyed all the young fruit IN the
lower lands, but the foothiu orchards were
not injured. Howard Overacker Jr. OF
Alameda said that while some sections Of
that county were in good bearing other
places were poor. Professor Arnold OF
Santa Clara said that the cherry crop would
be light, but the other fruits were promls-
ing.
Professor H. Weinstock of Sacramento
read an interesting paper upon the general
outlook for the sale of California dried and
fresh fruits this season in which he said ::
''To my mind the outlook is unusually
hopeful and encouraging, and, unless the
unexpected takes place, the season OF 50
should be the most profitable one TO all
concerned in the industry" He reviewed at
length the causes OF last year failures on
the part of producers to secure returns for
their labor, and asserted that most of these
distractions had been or would be re-
moved this year. lie concluded by say
ing:
From all that has been stated it can readily
be seen how much more favorable are pros
pectiYe conditions than have been the condi-
prices which prevailed years ago for California
fruits in Eastern markets need never again be
looked for, because OF the increased quantities
TO be marketed, yet there is every reason to
believe, owing to the improved conditions,
that the increased shipments of the coming
season are likely 10 yield reasonable and living
prices, prices such as should make the fresh
fruit business OF California profitable enough
to compensate for all the energy and capital
and intelligent effort that have been applied
to its development
a long discussion followed on selling
fresh fruits in Eastern markets by auction,
and the sentiment of the society was that
the producers should combine against the
Eastern middle-men and jobbers who have
combined to secure fruit at their own
prices.
1t was decided that the next meeting of
the society should be held in Yuba City on
the last Friday in May. Various county
horticultural societies will be invited to
participate. B. F. Walton, H. P. Staples
and r. G. Kells will be the committee on
arrangements. Papers on the manipula-
ton of dried fruits, drying and processing
of fruits and thinning fruits will be read
by B. f. Walton, Ralph Hersey, f. NJ.
Fighter, Frank H. Buck and A. T. Hatch.
The subject for the June meeting in San
Francisco will be the proper Grading and
Packing of Fruits" Resolutions deplor-
ing the Governors failure to sign the bill
appropriating $4,000 for the use of the
Horticultural Commission were passed.