The San Francisco call., 1896-06-26
CANNED AND DRIED FRUITS.

How the Season of 1896 Looks at the
Opening.
The Cutting Packing Company's circular says Of
canned and dried fruits:
CANNED FRUITS-APRICoTs The condition
of the crop is about the at out last ad'
vices excepting that the extreme hot, dry
weather has caused great falling and consequent
reduction in quantity, also a great detrlment 70
the quality, many orchards showing the fruit
shriveed and of small size, the heat evidently ar
resting the full development; this will initiate
against the general good quality OF the crop.
Moorparks especially are dropping more than
Royals. The low opening prices on dried will
work against high prices for canning stock, but as
the general quality OF the latter for the season is
''off" good stock for extra goods will command q
higher price than in 1895, while ordinary stock
may on the contrary and probably will be fur
nished at less.
PEARs-The critical period on these has practi-
cally passed, and the prospect for large crop
was never better We are still uncertain, how
ever as 10 the price for canning stock, as the de-
mand for Eastern shipment promises to be very
heavy, there being extra facilities for cheap and
rapid transportation over preceding Years, and it
Is hence altogether uncertain what prices will rule.
Al unpromisiDg feature of the crop is the heavy
proportion of small fruit, making high grades and
PLUMs-Our previous advices are confirmed as
10 the crop being badly damaged. of uncertain
quality and quite short: IN fact the prospect is
even poorer than month since
PEACHES Previous advices are confirmed eX-
cept as TO the value of ciings for canning stock,
which will doubtless be fully SO per that
of 95 and much heavier than anticipated.
The large Eastern crop will influence largely the
pack of frees in this state, aHd we believe he de-
mand VIII run largely for cllngs: anyhow, there
does not seem 10 be anyspecial announcement to
pack the former, when Socalled California peaches,
under a California label. printed in Baltimore are
offered freely by enterprising packers from the
latter city. of a claimed stand ard quality, at 80
cents for 3-fb cans + o. b. Baltimore
SMALL FRUITS - Strawberries, raspberries,
backberries currants and gooseberres are all very
short in quantity although OF good quality. Few
contracts have been made yet for these varie-
ties. 1t is not probable that prices viii rule
low as in '95.
CHERRIEs-Th packing is practically over and
probably not over one-uh rd OF that OF any OF the
last five years. Prices for canning stock have Ed-
vanced constantly during the month. II is afe to
that The small canned stock will 90 out at
packers figures. The crop in the State as awhole
is in better condition than could have been ex-
damage due to the extreme hot and dry. weather
OF the past three weeks, is much improved gener-
ally.
DRIED FRUITS
APRIcoTs-Are now being dried in some sec
lions. A few carloads have gone forward at ~
(6Sc net TO growers for first shipments 7c to the
;ut will not exceed $50 cars. with practically no
carry over Of lS95 crop, against 200 to 250 cars
last year, with carry OF about rs cars from
1894. 1t is safe 10 assume that present prices will
be maintained. Prces year ago ranged from
7$ 10 sc, and in 1894 with an output of 1lo0
6 10 &c.
PEAcHEs-wnl probably be in somewhat light er
supply than last year; drying will not begin until
next month.
PRUNEs-In some sections will be considerably
short of last year, but in other sections devoted
last years, that barring accidents TO the crop
before the drying season, the output of the state
will be somewhat larger than in 1895.
RAIslSs-There is not to exceed five to ten cars
left in the State, all of which will be required for
local trade. The coming crop will be about $500
carloads, against about 1000 cars last year.