New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-06
THE WATERMELON SUPPLY.
FIRST ARRIVAL OF CARLOAD LOTS FROM
THE LAND OF FLOWERS.
FIoRIDA's CROP SERIOUSLY DAMAGED RY DROUTH
LARGELY DECREASED ACREAGE IN GEoR-
GIA-TROUsI.E BETWEEN rRANsPORTA-
TON COMPANIES AND GROW
Fps ABOUT FREIGHT RATES

ERS ABOUT FREIGHT RATES
The first carload of watermelons this season
In due here to-day by steamship from Jacksonville
Fla" said George A. Blank veteran receiver Of
melons AT Park Place and the river. 10 a Tribune
reporter yesterday. and they vii; probably be sold
for $50 a hundred wholesale. There about LOO
melons in carload and they transported IN ordi
nary box freight to the steamships direct to
this city. according the distance they to be
carried and other circumstances. Thus far this
son only few cary melons have been received. in
barrels. and they have been tobbed at prices rang
Ing from 60 to IS cents apiece. a rule although
some extra fine ones have been sold at even higher
prices. The first melons of a season. which opens
about June and closes about September 30. come
from Florida. The acreage planted In that State
this year is little more than 5000 acres which is
about twice many were planted last year on
account Of the drouth. which continued for ten
weeks, however the yield per acre will be about
30 per cent less than that OF last year. that in
spite OF the doubling OF the acreage there will
be no increase in the Florida crop this season and
possibly there may be considerable decrease.
Georgia planted about 240oO acres last year. but
the prices realized unsatisfactory to the
growers that this year they planted only about
10000 acres, less than one-half of last years
acreage. that there will surely be large de-
1ciency in the supply from that State This market
is almost wholly supplied by Florida Georgia. South
and North Carolina. Maryland. Virginia and New
Jersey The melons arrive from the different States
successfully in the order in which they are men
toned Missouri and other Western and South
western States which produce watermelons ex-
tensivoly ind markets for their products nearer
home.
1T has b,en estimated by experts that when the
crops full there annually received In tbs
city about 90 10000 melons. but VIVA. the quantity
will be tbs year IS dif1cu., predict until later
in the The supply when full comes from
the different States mentioned in about the follow
ing quantities. Florida. 1900 900; Georgia. n.0DOO.
South Carolina 100000: North Carolina. 10000
Maryland. 100000; Virginia 10000: New-Jersey.
LOO go: total. 20.0OOllO When the melons are re-
ceved they are carefully culed and classified as
primes mediums and seconds and are sod 20
frui,-deaers. grocers. hoteikeepers and others IN
lots ranging from one dozen each TO large truck
loads As the season advances the prices steadily
decline and the market frequently becomes so
giut;ed In d-season that only nominal prices can
be obtained. and heavy losses are experienced by
Shippers and receivers.
The melon growers Of Florida. Georgia and other
Southern States have been for severa. years asking
the railroad Transportation companies 10 reduce
their freight rates. but the companies nave declined
Oh the ground that melons being per!sAaO1e me
shipments should spoil the way and the con
sgnees refuse to receive them on their arrival
would consent 10 fre.gnt reduction OF z! per en-;
they would wilnely prepay ne ;reishi IN ig:
against all possible loss. II some am.cable adjus'-
meni is not soon made. many - the largesi grow
crs have expressed their determinat or to abandon
the raising OF melons. /; now costs the tor.da ana
Georgia growers from $500 10 $50 per carload 10
place ihe.r melons In this market. ana there nave
been instances in which The cos was inuGh nienc.
l, certainly IS cause for regret that some asre-,
ment cannot he reached between the growers anc
the carriers by which n popular and healthy
fruit could he brought here az rates Of rdnsporia-
lion sufficiently low to enable II 20 be sold a.
prices cheap enough TO place Il easily within thc
reach o. al. classes OF consumers
An en,hu.astic American citizen Of African de-
on '" the return Of the favorite fuit OF his race:
wa,ermeipns ar. coming by boa, and by train
How gladly the beauties We now welcome again
With Joyous approval their arrival We greet
For We fruit that with them can com
pete.
They are lusclousy cooling and heaihful as well,
nd bes q fr1i!t toncs. as physicians AL te!
Though gather the choicest Of fruits ali around
The watermelon King Of them all VIII be crowned