New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-28
CALIFORNIA FRUIT ABROAD.



From The San Francisco Argonaut.
There is certain be a largely Increased supply %
fruit seeking a market within the next two year.
owing the fact that the numbe- OF trees In bearing
will be almost doubled within that time Last year.
in spite of the development OF the shipments 70 tho
Eastern States, there was surplus. and prices re-
ceived were far below what they should have been.
Shipments Europe have been made for num-
Der of years, but IL must be confessed that the re-
suits have been decidedly unsatisfactory The frs.
shipment last year was one OF 100 boxes OF plums
and pears from Sacramento. Complaint was made
that some OF the boxes were damaged and that
the fruit was too small, and the prices obtained
were low. The average price obtained for tho
pears which Bartletts, was from 81 80 10 s. %
for a ffty-pound box; the plums brought 81 81 4
crate. Two weeks later consignment Of 1000
They were Of good size and quality and in mo
condition. But the peaches were sold at from -
9 Ws to 1aa 81 t4 hs pams from e cfn a5ys
The prices were depressed on account OF the largo
ke The next agn brough 8 to
81 81 for pears. 81 0s TO 81 IS for peaches and Is 20
and GO PHm wes o i g for sHGsI to
cents for pears, and IS cents TO 81 OF for very SUI
per.or quality Of plums In seHember the price,
cents to 81 50; plums. 81 a.
1t Is evident that these price; are not sufcient
London market, when the cost OF freight. insur-
a an and risk Is considered Yet under fayora;
there for the fruit from this state. Some Of the
Russian buyers. and this market could be- eonsd
erably increased. The trouble has arisen from the
transit, much of 1t has arrived in London in poor
condition. and English buyers are suspicious and
unwilling 10 take the risk of having 1t spoil on their
hands. Again. the fruit must be sold Immediately
upon arrival. and in many cases IL arrives In Lon
don when the market is overstocked with cheaper
fruit from other countries II is shipped
signees, who have no interest in the matter save
price obtained Is not sufficient to these they
have only to draw draft on the shipper here 10
cover the deficiency.
The remedy lies in a readjustment of the method
of conducting the business. None but the very best
quality of selected fruit should be sent and IL
gers Of the long transit and frequent landings
Moreover, resident agents should he appointed in
the principal cities of the East and Europe, who
would be thoroughly familiar with California fruits
and should be paid regular salaries instead OF COM
missions. These agents, upon being advised Of a
shipment Of fruit. with full information TO It's
condition and quality would i'm mediately set In
cities in which they are located but in adjacent
towns and neighboring localities and make agree
ments for the sale of the fruit. conditioned upon
its being according 10 representations They could
keep the shippers here posted az all times regard
ing the conditions and prospects Of the markets
In this way the fruit would be placed 10 the best
advantage and al the highest prices the market
cred the whole of this country and large part OF
Europe. and the danger of shipping TO an over
stocked market would bes reduced a minimum.
There is Of course. the objection that the season
for fruit shipments covers only part OF the year.
while the expense of keeping up these establish
ments would be continued throughout the twelve
months. But this loss could he reduced by incud.
among the commodities to be handled by the