The San Francisco call., 1896-07-24
FRUIT DEVELOPMENT.
The Condition of the Crop Worse Than


The Condition of the Crop Worse Than
Expected.
The circular of the Cutting Packing Company
gives an unfavorable exhibit of the fruit crop, as
follows:
CANNED FRUITS-APRIcoTs = There has
been great change in the quality of the prospec-
tive crop for the since our last, although we
went on record then TO the effect that the crop was
badly deterorating. We do not know OF season
wnen the quality has become so poor as general
proposition. The extreme heat has produced a
great proportion Of cracked fruits and sour pits,
while the extreme cold weather noted all through
the spring caused equally large proportson OF
scrubby, scaly and smutty fruit consequently good
canning stock has been growing scarcer up to
about week ago. when the unprecedented hot
spell had an even more serious effect
The crop as a whole would have been equal to
that of 1895 had it not been for the above unfavor
able conditions, but it is, fully onehaf of those
engaged for canning are being rejected and turned
into the dryyards. 1t is probable that great
many ORDERS especially for extras and high-grade
standards, will fall short OF being filled, and as
there is still a carry-over of poor standards and
seconds, packers will not care TO increase their
stock of such, and the pack as whole will doubt
less exceed 80 per cent of that of 1898. and in
spite of all precautions and attempts to the con-
tTary. large percentage of will be OF low grade
and seconds being offered at very low figures while
the hIgh-grade standards and extras will command
high prices
PEAcHEs-Hot weather has caused considera-
BILE drop on the Sacramento River where frees are
shorl and quality much poorer than expected, on
account of premature ripening, the heat prevent,
ing the growth TO full size. Frees however. VIII
be much more plentiful Otner ana tne
out-turn, as whole, larger than In 1888. Chngs
are not turning out well at ALL being more visibiy
affected by the heat even than the frees and they
are dropping considerably. As a whole the crop
will not be of good quality and though plentiful In
quantity there Will be the same difficulty in secur-
ing good canning stock as with apr1coIs
PEARs-Tne crop is a disappointment as to quail
ity, although the quantity is large except in the
extreme north, the troub bic Affecting quality
as peaches and apricots fruit running small with
much scab and scale; good stock is COMMAND
high price and will not be overplentiful. while low
grades as O and SmOOtlneSS Will begging
PIUMs-t rop is maturing very short in quantity,
as previously advised. and there is no improve
ment worth noting; quality, however, VIII be
quite up to the average
SMALL FRUIrs-Previous advices TO quantity
and quality confirmed; trade is light. II NAV
be fairly said that the crop as whole throughout
the State is of poor quality, and that great deal
OF trouble will be experienced by Gamers In get
ting sufficient stock for high standards and extras
On the other hand, Gamers who are accustomed
70 make a large pack will be tempted to avail
themselves OF the low prices ruling for off stock
and possibly make larger pack than they other
wise would, WI b the almost certain resu tnat
the market VIII be flooded with surplus of unde-
sirsble quality. his appears to have been the re
suit on apricots to GATE, and may be followed on
the other varieties. Cherries doubtless the
only variety that will be actually short, and the
present unsold STOCK Will co nm and gooQ prices
Considering the political situation and condition Of
National finances and the uncertainty attending
bot as to future values OF merch andise through
out the country we can hardly see how Gamers
justified in stocking up above their actual
wan s. based on very conservative methods; but
presume there will be the usual output, with
the invariable result
ToMAToEs-No change whatever either in the
market, values of the light stock on hand or in
packers ideas of prices for futures; in fact there
is trade worth considering for either spot stock
or futures
DRIED FRUITS-APRIcors-Ha been going
forward slowly at gradually reduced prices. he
output viii be about $50 cars, which is consider
ably below the average. To-day's mara ct in
loads is weak at 612c, low price considering the
conf aratlvely small prospective output. The
absence of demand during the heated term will
prevent any improvement.
PRUNEs-The crop does not look quite as favor
able a month ago. but promises 10 fully equal
that of last year. fruit in the Santa Clara Valley
Is beginning to color. owing to the extreme heat
the past few days. Drying will begiu next month.
RAIsINs-The market has opened at "A of Il cent
above 1895 prices and average of "A of cent
below those of 1894 The output VIII be fully
1900 carloads short of 1894 1895, MS shortage
of about 40 per cent, with no carry-over either
the coast the East Considering these condi-
tions. opening prices are low and VIII PROBABLY
suit in active demand, with prices well sus-
tained during the season.
PEAcHEs-Drving Will begin in the carrier Sec
tions in days; opening prices will be fully
cent per pound lower than las, year; the output
will be 10 per cent 10 20 per short OF that of
1885