The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-06-19
BETTER PRICES EXPECTED.
Hope Springs Eternal in the FruitSrOW6rS
Heart.
Peach and Pear Crop Bid Fair to
Bring Good Returns to
OrchardiStS.

While prices for California fruit in
Eastern markets are improving, the
change has not been marked and they
are still unsatisfactory to both grower
and shipper.
Local fruit men give several reasons
for the low prices paid for fruit, one
being that the weather for the month
OF June all over the United States has
Shown a lower temperature than for
years past, and that it is unreasona-
bic to ask the consumer to MUNICH cher
ries while he turns up the collar of his
overcoat for protection against biz
yards. Summer fruits. they claim,
must go with summer weather.
Another reason advanced why prices
have beer at bedrock, and which IS
apparent to everybody, is that the
fruit shipped has been Of an inferior
quality. Eastern buyers have been
accustomed to seeing large and lusc-
ious fruits from California, and are
10th to believe that the article they
have received is the best the State has
10 offer They have waited for a bet
TT article. said an old shipper yester-
day, when, through no fault of our
own, we have no better to offer.
That the exceedingly dry season and
consequent undersize of cherries and
other small fruits has done much to
Cause low prices" said another ship
per, lis to be deplored, but the ex-
IRENE cold weather and the lateness of
the season We're equal factors in de-
pressing prices"
1t is admitted on all sides that much
OF the fruit heretofore shipped reached
Its destination in poor condition, and
instances are cited where whole con-
signments have been condemned by
fruit inspectors before a pound was
sold
Ii is encouraging, however, to know
that both growers and shippers are
looking forward to something better
in the near future. The pear crop
promises well, and while it win not be
as heavy as in the season of 1896, the
greatly improved both as to quality
and flavor.
Shippers are urging their customers
to start no consignments East which
are not nearly enough matured to thor
oughly ripen. The trouble last year
was that many of the pears were as
green as grass when harvested, and
instead of ripening they shriveled up
and became bitter and puckery. Peo-
pie in the East will buy good pears
but have no use whatever for bad per-
simmons.
The prospects for good prices for the
Tipening peach crop are exceedingly
bright 1t is argued that what is a
loss to the East and the South will be
a gain to California. The people in
the East who desire to eat fruit must
look to California for their supply, for
the simple reason that the East and
South have none to offer. The peach
crop in the East is nearly a total fail
ure. and the same may be said of that
in Georgia. AS a matter of fact, the
Georgia product has never seriously
entered into competition with that of
California, and though each year a
cry goes up that the former will cap
ture the markets, nothing has ever
come of it.
Advices show local dealers and ship
pers that the peach crop promises we'll,
and if prices are received such as are
now expected, it will go far to offset
the losses on shipments of cherries and
other small fruit made early in the
season.
Shipments to Eastern points in car
load lots yesterday were as follows:
Cherries t. apricots t. peaches 81,
plums 2%4, total of 10 as against II
for the corresponding day last year.