The San Francisco call., 1896-05-01
SECURITIE
FROST AND FRUIT.
Survey of the Situation From n Can
ner's Standpoint

Survey of the Situation From n Can
ner's Standpoint
The Cutting Packing Company has the following
forecast OF the fruit crop this year. regards the
recent frosts:
Aside from the business aspect of the market the
principal feature of interest been the continued
irosts occurring at intervals during the past thirty
days that have been unparalleled in the history Of
the fruit industry of the State. 1t was supposed
for awhile that the early frosts in March were OF
temporary effect and short-lived in their results,
ana such might have been the case had they not
been followed by others of a still more severe
character, not only for one or two days, but for
week or more. OF course, it is unreasonable to
suppose that the business community a whole
Will agree in the conclusions that we have been
forced TO arrive at, that the crop as u whole has
been seriously damaged, because they have been
over and over again deceived in this respect in
previous years, but the fact remains. nevertheless.
ana although are always slow TO believe reports
OF such serious damage in the present case we are
forced 10 state, honest conclusion, that the
crop as whole has been damaged 10 the extent of
fully 40 per cent.
cent of an average crop. but rather that the crop
OF the present year has been damaged in that pro-
portion. This damage applies in q general way TO
all fruit localities IN the state. although il was
contin ed for quite a while TO certain localities
not ably those north OF the latitude of Marysvile
during the first half of March, since which date
both the frostS and continued cold weather and
rains have operated dsaStrously in all other locai
TIES without exception so that there is no trutt re-
glon IN the State large small, put what has been
visited. and the crop depicted thereby. This ap-
pies especially 10 almonds, apricots, cherries,
peaches and pruneS-pears and plums have not as
a whole, been treated so badly.
Although our Information is special and reliable,
we are not fully convinced yet OF the final damage,
because the recuperating forces of the decduous
fruit-tree are immense, and good results may yet
follow II the weather be propitious; but it Will
take fully month to arrive at such conclu sion
feel that it is proper toput the facts they
appear and follow them later by furt her nforma-
ton as il may come TO us. AT present we en-
trels at as to- the value of f6tures and corse-
quently, have fixed no prices thereon although II
Is fair 10 say that the condition of the fruit crop,
added -to.the enhanced value of Sugar-nearly 81
/ per cent over that of lS95-and the fact that the
other material entering Into the prod duction OF
canned frnlt is no cheaper than year ago all In
dlcate that our prices FOR futures when made, will
be considerably above those OF last year. -.
The weather conditions have affected the tomato
and other vegetables very .unfavorably and pros
poets for q good crop are not nearly so good as a
month ago, hence no great effortis being made TO
sell futures, but on the contrary coast packers
have Withdrawn prices that were temporarily put
ont. spot mar ket for not only tomatoes but peas
and other vegetables, continues dull. ut our
(. quotaI0ps -. -. --i
|. DRIED FRUITS-The recent damage BY ;fros;
TO he growing crops has not m ade itself apparent
in prices, but will II Undoubtedly cause an advance
within very short time: The damage to FRA pes
has been the heaviest, and already spectators
have bought up ali outstanding lots of rails ns in
first hands which has strengthened the market an
Is 10 a OF: cent within the last few-days.
The demand for dried fruit even at the exceed
/ lngsy low prices ruling has been exceptionally
light;th trade has been buying only from hand TO
mouth. but look for an Improvement in the
market as soon there is any Increased inquiry
|. !. APRIcoTs-In little demand; no doubt owing to
The cheapness or other fruits IN comparison.
* PEA HEs--Are moving more freely than. any
other.fruit with the exception of prunes.
r PRUS Es-There is little better dem and than we
reported in our last circular, but prices remain the
|: RAIsINs-The market lis. advancing owing TO
light stocks which are held In firm hands and the
damaget TO the growing crop whlchis estimated to