The record-union., 1896-06-06
CONDITION OF FRUIT CROPS.
The Yield is Light, But the Quality is
Very Good.
Talks With Various Shippers-Apricots
and Peaches Now Going
Forward.


= unit in saying that the present
weather insures a good variety of all
fruits now ON the trees, and that the
evil effects of the excessive heat Of a
week ago are more than counter bal
anced by it. The situation, as viewed
by those interested, is at present about
as follows:
While shipments of early cherries
were practically over last week, few
choice lots are still being shipped from
San Jose, Vacaville and Suisun, and
are demanding the fancy prices paid
all along, and returns just received
from express shipments show from
seventy-five cents to 81 % per box net,
while one lot of Tartarians sold in New
York brought from 81 20 to 81 80.
Shipments of Alexander peaches be-
gan in earnest the first of the week,
and the variety of the fruit is fully up
4. to the standard of shipments of last
year. While as yet no returns have
been received, it is expected that good
prices will be in order owing to the
fact that there is no competition from
Eastern or Southern orchards, Civ
ing the California shippers a fair field
and all the favors.
Large shipments of apriccts (RoyaD
are being made daily, and will continue
for the next two weeks. They are
bringing good, though not fancy
prices, but owing to the universally
fair crop may not continue to do so.
In many localities, too, a large per-
centage of the crop has been rendered
unfit for Eastern shipment by being
pitted with shot-hole fungus, which is
more nearly universal than usual, on
account of the unusually damp weather
of the late spring. However, for dry
ing purposes, the fruit is not damageH
In the least, and while Gamers prefer
smooth, plump fruit, it is thought some
of 1t may be disposed of to them. The
shot-hole fungus damages nothing but
the general appearance of the fruit
the flavor being fully equal to varieties
which have not been touched.
During the recent hot spell a great
many apricots and pears dropped, par
ticularly the latter, and while the
prospects are good for a heavy crop
growers could not well afford the loss
occasioned. The heat had the same
effect on the fruit that a hot sun has
On tender young plants, and fairly
cooked it. While in a number of To-
ca1itfes the dropping continues, it is
thought the danger is past, and the
fruit now on the trees will hang unless
something at present Unforeseen hap
pens. Dealers do not care to predict
what prices will be paid for pears,
though it is believed that early ship
ments will bring fancy prices.
Several shipments Of plu1ns were
made during the first Of the week from
the vicinity of Vacaville. The fruit was
In prime condition, and there is consid-
cradle speculation concerning the prices
1t will bring, with the prospects bright,
owing to the shortness of the crop.
Recent advices from Georgia, Cali
fornia'S chief competitor in the early
Irult line, show that owing to recent
heavy rains and storms, early peaches
will not be more than fourth Of a
crop. While the report needs verifica-
ton, 1T is known that considerable dam
age has been done, and the competition
from the Georgia orchards will not be
as strong as was expected a week ago.
The canneries are still busy contract
ing for the late cherry crop, and are
paying from seven to eight cents a
pound Shippers are advising growers
to dispose of the crop at these figures,
and as consequence the shipments
of late varieties will not be heavy.
Up to and including yesterday, the
shipments of all fruit from the State
for the season was seventy-five car
loads, of which fifty-one cars were cher
rleS, sixteen apricots and eight mixed
lots of peaches, pears and apples The
Sacramento, San Jose and Vacaville
districts were the heaviest shipping
points, and the first load of cherries was
shipped from Suisun.
The shipments Of last year, up to and
including June 9th were 145 carloads of
all varieties of fruits, as against 70 cars
for the present season.
The first shipment of cherries last
year was made on May 7th, as against
May lSthof the present season. The first
shipment of peaches last year was made
on May 18th, as against May 21st this
season; while the first plums were
shipped last year on May 22d, as
against May 10th this year, and the first
apr1cots May 18th, as against May 18th
SO 1t may be seen that the season is
not so far behind that of last year as
has been said, and that the first ship
ment or plums was made six days ear
iier this season than last, while the
prices received have been better and the
quality of fruit up 70 the average.