The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-01
Discussion of the Question by
the State Horticultural
Society.
GROWER VS.. COMMISSION MAN.
San Francisco a Market From Which
Unsatisfactory Returns Are
Made.

Yesterday the California State Horti-
cultural Society met in the Mills building
and discussed the Free City Market ques-
ton. Besides the members of the society
there were present: B. F. Walton of the
State Grange, NJ. S. Kohlberg of the
Merchants Association, Frank Dalton,
president of the San Francisco Fruit Ex-
change e. F. Adams of Highland Grange,
Brainard N. Rowley, publisher of the Cali
fornia Fruit-grower, and III. P. Stabler of
Yuba County, all of whom spoke upon
the subject. President Colnon was IN
able TO be present, but sent an offer of
5O0x5O feet of section of the seawalI with
shed Tor free market.
Mr.. Adams discussed the proposition at
length, and spoke of the different adyan-
tages that would accrue from the estab-
lishment of q market where the producer
could directly meet the consumer. He
said there is bitter feeling between the
two, and the man in the country believes
that the man in the City squeezes him.
He had heard that the gro had occa-
sionally sent people to buy box of fruit
to learn how this sale stood in with the
returns mailed to the shipper. This is
talked Of among the growers, and tn ey are
becoming more and more dissatisfied.
Mr.. Dalton expressed himself as being
unable to see any practicable benefit in a
| free market. The principal fruit orchards
are too far from San Francisco. Vacaville,
which is about sixty miles away, is the
first shipper of the season; and what
| grower will come from that distance with
| his car of produce for the purpose of sell
| ing it off in the free market. San Fran
! cisco is not located for free market? She
| is nearly surrounded by water, conse-
quently no farmer can haul his produce
into the City, as is done where free mar
kets are found practicable. He said:
The vegetable markets at the corner of Davis
| and Pacific streets are free markets, yet moth
! ing ia sold at retail there, and we never hear
that consumers receive any concessions there
over the purchasers in other localities.
Jackson and Washington street wharyes are
] practically free markets where fruit and prod
| nee are bought and sold. Regarding my own
business as wholesale fruit-dealer, 90 per
| cent of my consignmepts are sold to the can
| ner before it reaches the market. The buyer
| hauls 1t away at his own expense. IL the
grower would ship better quality, and moi
| try to force the market with an inferior grade
! lin short, If he would take the advice of the
commission man once in while-there would
not be so much dissatisfaction and that bitter
| feeling spoken OF between the country and the
city man. believe that the appointment of q
i fruit inspector, such as has been suggested,
/ would be wise. Last summer the market was
| Hooded with green and unstable caltaloupes,
! which we've thrown overheard. There should
| be an inspector to condemn and check the ship
| ment of an inferior class of produce. am in
| favor of any concentration of business-any
| bringing together of the grower and commits
sion inan-and am also in favor of high prices
We want no cheap fruit in this market
/ BE-. Walton of Yuba stated that the
value of the fruit upon reaching the mar
| ket depended upon the packer and also
upon the mode of delivery. He said:
! Berries which of necessity are quickly