The record-union., 1896-08-02
FANCY FIGURES FOR FRUIT.
Heavy Shippers Count the Profits From
Last Weeks Sales.
Boston People Pay Extravagant Prices
for California Peaches Yestar-
days Heavy Shipments.

Eastern shipments of fruit have been
exceedingly heavy during the past
week, and universally good prices have
been received all along the line. Con-
cerning the situation A. j. Hechtman,
Of Porter Brothers Company, had this
to say:
LAS predicted a week ago, the East
ern markets have shown a decided i'm
provement during the past six days,
with prospects for continued good
prices. Our sales for the week have
made the growers considerable money,
as for instance, our sale in New York,
July 30th, of Vacaville. fruit where the
car sold for over 81 800 gross; and on
the 31st, fruit from the same district,
the car sold for nearly S1,I00 gross a
car, mostly peaches, from Newcastle
district, sold for over 81 ,io0 gross In
Boston, on the 31st, car, mostly
peaches. from Nacav vile, was sold by US
for account of F. II. Buck for %2.2S3 %
gross. MIR. Buck saws this is the largest
sale ever made on peaches. On the
same day and in the same market we
sold a car of pears and plums from
Sacramento River district for nearly
81, 800 gross. On August ,st. in Boston,
we sold Vacaville car of fruit for
81, ,S36 60 gross, and yet another car at
the same time from Vacaville for
$1.729 80 gross. And in New York on
August 1st we sold car. mostly
peaches, from the Lodi district, for
81, 537 In fact, our sales in all of the
markets for the past week show a good
profit to the growers
THE peach market is exceptionally
good, and on July 31st peaches from the
Sacramento River district we sold in
Boston at 50 to 81 - per box, and fine
prices were realized all along the line.
Reports from the East all affirm that
the domestic peaches this season are
small and of inferior quality, and the
Atlantic seaboard buyers do not take
kindly to them, preferring good Califor-
MIA fruit. Il is only a question Of care
and judgment in picking and packing
California fruit to bring about good re-
suits.
Regarding pears, California pears
are now of good size and quality, and
are bringing good prices in the Eastern
markets, and if the same judgment is
used in the picking and packing as
mentioned in regard to peaches, we do
not see any reason why the later ship
ments should not bring good, fair, and
even fancy prices.
"The grape crop will be light this sea-
son, but the prospects are for good
quality, and we predict fine results for
fancy table grapes.
Regarding dried fruit, the dried
fruit situation is unchanged; no activ-
ity, and no demand except at extremely
low prices considering the quantity and
quality of fruit to offer. This applies
particularly to apricots. Dried peaches
have not yet been made in any quantity.
The first two weeks in August will en-
able us to judge better Of the probable
quantity and quality of the dried peach
output"
Mr.. Earl, of the Earl Fruit Company,
had this to say of the situation:
shipments for the week ending
August 1st show an increase over ship
ments of previous week. This increase
was caused by Improvement in Eastern
markets, which was predicted week
ago. Shipments for the ten days prior
to last week were unusually~fight, and
resulted in a scarcity of fruit in all auc-
tion markets during the past week.
I'VE doubt whether prices will be
maintained during the present week in
view of the heavy shipments now en-
route. This applies especially to Bart
lett pears and peaches. Splendid prices
have been realized for peaches during
the past week, especially in the Atlantic
Coast markets. A car of peaches sold in
Boston on Friday of last week for near
ly $1,000. This is probably the largest
sum ever realized for a car of California
peaches in any Eastern market.
"Our advices indicate that shipments
Of Georgia peaches are now over for the
season, and Delaware peaches are going
to market in large quantities, at the
same time limited quantity of Califor-
MIA peaches will continue to sell at sat
isfactory prices in Eastern markets, as
the fruit is much more satisfactory for
reshipment after arrival at destination
than Eastern peaches.
"AdviceS were received on Friday Of
the sale OF second London shipment at
very satisfactory prices Bartlett pears
sold somewhat lower than the first ship
ment The prices realized for these
early July shipments to London are no
criterion, however, Of the prices which
win be realized for shipments going for
ward in August. Our advices from
London indicate that the London mar
ket will be heavily supplied with do
mestic pears in August, and that much
lower prices will rule for California
fruit in consequence. We therefore ad-
wise a discontinuance of London ship
ments for the present especially of
pears. August shipments to London in
previous seasons have generally sold at
low prices, and in some instances groGv-
ers not only lost the fruit, but were
asked to pay out money for freight and
refrigera ton in addition
While Mr.. Earl predicts lower prices
for California fruit in London. other
shippers have advices from that city
urging larger shipments. There seems
to be a difference of opinion among the
fruit men on this point.
Fruit shipments probably touched
high water mark yesterday morning.
and the California Fruit-Growers' and
Shippers Association reported 30 cars
left for points East during the twenty
cour hours preceding 6 a. M, as against
81 ears shipped the same day last year.
The shipments consisted of 1f15 cars
Of peaches, 81 of plums, y of grapes,
81 of pears, and = of mixed varieties.
The fruit will be distributed as follows:
Chicag ago-Peaches Gla. plums >. pears
aA-1S. New York-Peaches - plums
80, grapes T. pears 14l2-19 Boston
Peaches 13i, plums 1$i, pears 315-7.
st. Louis Plums Il, pears M--1. st.
Faul-Peaohes ~, pears 11b-3. Kan
sas City-Peaches Il. plums u. pears
1l-2 omaha-Peac ches 10, plums Il,
pears 1H-3. Minneapolis-Pe 1.
Other pOints-Feaches 255, pears 1aI,
mixed 3t-5