The record-union., 1896-05-29
PEACH And APRICOT CROP.
Eastern Shipments Commence in Earnest
Next Week.
Canneries Will Handle Most o1
the Late Cherry Crop-The
Georgia Orchards.

The fruit dealers of the city are a
unit in saying that there is practically
NO change in the fruit prospect
throughout the State from the account
published on Sunday last, except that
it has been found that only nearly ripe
cherries We're damaged by the last
rain, and that the damage will not de-
crease the Eastern shipments more
than one car.
Up to the present time fruit ship
ments have been confined almost ex-
clusively to cherries, and shipments Of
early varieties will be over this week.
That, it is thought, will practically
end the Eastern shipments of cherries
for the season, for unless extremely
fancy prices can be had the crop of
Royal AIMS and kindred late varieties
will be used by home canneries.
Indeed, the canneTies are already put
ting in bids for the late crop, and If
GaS ternerS want a late variety or Cali
fornia cherries they must bid high.
Bids are being made by canneries for
late cherries all the way from cents to
10 cents a pound, and quite a number
of heavy contracts have been closed at
those figures
Owing to the light crop of cherries
dealers have, in many instances, formed
combinations for Eastern shipments,
as few of them have been able to Sc
cure a carload from any one locality.
Though the early cherry crop will
have been all harvested this week, the
fruit season is really only just opening,
and the main apricot shipments and
Alexander peaches will begin in earnest
next week, and as there will be no
Eastern competition very fancy prices
may be expected for choice lots.
While there have not as yet been any
extensive apricot shipments, there have
been many express consignments
which found quick sales at from 81 80
&c 81 30 a half crate, according to the
quality. While the apricot crop will not
be heavy, the shipments are expected
to bring better prices than usual, and
these prices will likely remain high
throughout the season, for the reason
that the canneries will put in bids for
late varieties, which will help the grow
ers by creating a lively home competi-
tion. AT the present writing Gamers
have made no offers for cots, as they
will be enabled to make their estimates
son, and at the same time secure as
good an article of fruit.
Conflicting reports have been re-
ceived from the peach orchards of
Georgia, one report stating that there
would not be half crop, and another
received the same day to the effect that
the crop would be very heavy. Local
dealers will know nothing definite
about the matter until apprisad of the
prospects by their Eastern agents.
These reports are looked for daily, and
when received they will know more
nearly what prices to expect from
shipments delivered for thirty days
following the 10Th Of June when it is
believed the first shipment of Georgia
fruit will be made.
There has been 10 reported change
in the statements made that dried fruit
was stacked away in Eastern storage
rooms awaiting a market; and the
feeling prevails among shippers that
never again will 10 cents or u cents
be realized for dried cots or peaches.
They reason that consumers prefer
green to dried fruit, ard that a canned
article may be had at prices which will
not pay for the work of drying. They
further argue that fruit is becoming
TOO plentiful to allow fancy prices for
the dried article, and augur good re-
suits from it, reasoning that more at
tention viii be given to supplying the
markets with a first-class article OF
fruit for shipping purposes.
Dealers have every reason to be
pleased at the results of shipments al
ready made, not only as TO prices re-
ceived, but also regarding the condition
Of the fruit up4n arriving at its desti-
nation, which has been reported as
first-class in almost every instance.
Owing to the extremely hot weather
of the past few days the growing crops
may be expected to ripen week ear
1ier than was anticipated, which will be
quite an item when it is considered
that considerable fruit will thus escape
Southeastern competition.
AS yet nothing very definite has been
received concerning the prospects fol
the peach crop in New Jersey and Del