Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-18
Winter Apples and Freight Rates.

The distribution of the big apple crop in
he middle and eastern states promises
TO be question not only of price but also
ii transportation. Rates of rail freight
ire much as they We're year ago while
OCEAN freights average higher. SO far AZ
INC latter are concerned. it is now not
1niy question of paying more on apples
shipped to Europe. but of securing vessel
room at all. There has been an unusual
iemand for ocean freight room the past
six weeks. The southern cotton crop RI
2ened early and large numbers OF
tramp steamers which ordinarily hover
around the north Atlantic ports are now
engaged in carrying cotton from the
South Atlantic and Gulf to Europe. This
"esults in smaller offerings of ocean ton
mage here in the north for all classes OF
merchandise, and owing to the demand
irelghts are higher and freight room
scarce. While It is early in the season
ocean vessels are already severely taxed
Tor space 1t begins to appear that it will
be impossible for the usual proportion OF
me apple crop which is ordinarily moved
before cold weather TO be moved this sea
son'in the same period of time.
Special investigation made by The
homestead among our advertisers who
out the opinion that it is advisable for
farmers and orchardists to be prepared
10 carry their apples, or at least a share
of them. into the winter Do not be
caught with the fruit out of doors when
cold weather arrives. If this precaution
is not taken. it will certainly result in an
immense quantity of frozen apples and I,
serious loss for owners.
AS shown in our market reports the last
week or two unusually large quantities OF
apples have been thrown on the English
markets thus early in the season. severe
~ testing their power of absorption at
anything like q satisfactory price. Wit,
present ocean freights not only higher
than those of month ago. but still
greater advances asked for November
shipment it will be well for shippers and
dealers to determine the ACCESSIBILITY of
holding part of their stock intended for
export account until later in the season.
1t is possible that in January and Feb
ruary there will be less difficulty in get
ting freight room to England. that coun-
try forming the best outlet for this sea
sons surplus. This state of things points
ments throughout the autumn and win
ter. Montreak ocean shipments close in
November.
The present rate of ocean freight from
Boston to Liverpool is 60M72c. per Dbl.
and nc. to Glasgow. and the November
rate promises to be fully as high and
perhaps higher. The rate last month was
4Sc. to Liverpool, while initial shipments
freights from New York to Liverpool are
l2c. per Dbl, to Glasgow Sic. and to Lon
don Sic. TO these rates per cent prirn-
age must be added. which means an in
crease in the total rate of freight of
about f2c. over recent figures. The War
rem line of steamers has semi-weekly sail
ings from the Fitchburg dock at Boston
and we are informed that the demand
for space will probably more than equal
the supply during October. Other lines
have weekly and semi-weekly sailings
from Boston. N. Wand other ports.
Rail freights from interior points in
New England. New York etc, can be Sc
cured from the local freight agent. In
some instances it would no doubt be adj
visable to obtain a through bill of ladin.
from shipping station direct 70 the Eng
lish market for which the apples are in
tended. In this way n more satisfactory
rate can be secured If shippers are able
TO offer large quantity of fruit. say a
number of thousand of barrels. they may
secure still greater concessions from the
transportation companies in the way al
special rates.-N. Il. Homestead.