The herald., 1896-01-04
The Marketing of Dried Fruits
Generally Discussed
GROWERS SHOULD COMBINE
Expression Given to Valuable Ideas
on the Subject
The Supposed Case Of Suicide Turns Out to
Be An Accident-The Train
Hands Exhonorated

VENTURA, Jan. 3.-Ihe Farmers club
was we'll attended at Mr.. Killers Tuesday
night, and an interesting program was de-
livered. The Principal topic for discussion
was the marketing of dried fruits, which
incidentally included all products.
The paper was read by C. A. Barnos and
was thoughtful presentation of the sub
ject. The writer had taken considerable
pains to investigate the different systems
of marketing, and he thought the greatest
evil which stares fruit growers in the face
Is the method of consignment, which is
gradually driving the middlemen out of the
market.
While the plan of selling f. o. b. to mid
dlemen was far superior to the pernicious
consignment plan, he thought the proper
way is for the growers to combine and sell
their own products, at the same time find
ing their own markets. With the proper
effort Mr.. Barnes thought the market for
our dried fruits could be extended so that
we need never fear glut in the market.
lie favors plan similar to the orange and
walnut exchanges, which have been found
hope to publish Mr.. Barnes paper in full
next week.
The thoughts suggested in the paper were
heartily indorsed by everyone present. Mr..
Everett read several letters on the subject
showing how little dependence could be
placed upon the representations of eastern
papers, and explained how the system
worked in Santa Clara county.
1t was suggested that an exchange might
be formed to handle all the different prod
ucts of this productive county and thus
keep the agents employed all the year.
Mr.. Everett, president OF the club, men
toned that a state meeting of fruit grow
ers had been called for January 18th at
San Francisco, and that Ventura county
had been asked to send representative
The object will be to form state associa-
ton, establishing exchanges in all the fruit
centers. He urged that we comply with
the request to send a delegate, and it was
decided 10 call meeting of the fruit men
of the county for that purpose.
Mr.. Barnes believes that eastern people
ought to be educated in the matter OF cook
ing apricots. When properly cooked they
do not have the bitter taste, but are the
richest and finest favored fruit grown. To
prove this theory he presented some april
cots, cooked as they should be, which the
company sampled and unanimously de-
clared delicious. Following is the recipe
ior cooking, it being the same as recon-
mended by the state board of horticulture !:
Soak the fruit over night. take the water
and let it come to a boil. Then add the fruit
and let boil up again; remove the fruit and
add one cup OF sugar to quart OF liquor and
let boil down to a syrup and pour over the
fruit
Judge Thompson was called upon for q
paper. and he presented the subject of
lima beans. He followed the same trend
of thought expressed in Mr.. Barnes pa
per, and thought the bean men ought by
all means form a union. This would be a
very simple matter, as Ventura and Santa
Barbara counties control the lima beans
Edward Gerry favored the company