The record-union., 1897-07-18
VIEWS OF FRUIT SHIPPERS.
GRAPES AND CRAWFORD
PEACHES SCORCHED.
The Eastern Demand for Our Fruit
is GoOd-Pears Sell Well
in London.

The fruit question throughout the
State is just at present slightly mixed,
and while fair prices are paid in East
ern markets, the present outlook FOR
orchardists is not flattering.
The late heated spell did great dam
age to growing crops, and While CraW-
ford peaches are consequently smaller
than was expected. the heaviest loss
will be on the vineyardists. Tokay
grapes have been badly burned, and
Will probably not average over half q
crop, while raisin grapes have suffered,
though to what extent cannot as YET
be determined Until few days ago
the grape crop promised to be the
heaviest in years, and would, it was
expected. make up for the shortness
of other crops.
In speaking of the situation yester-
day, A. j. Hechtman, President of
Porter Bros. & Co, stated that ad-
vices just received from London in :
formed him that the first consignment
of California pears sold for 81 per half
box, giving a margin, after freight and
commission charges We're paid, of near
ly 81 per half-boX Judging from the
prices received, the fruit, which was
of good quality, reached its destina-
ton in good condition.
The pear crop, Mr.. Hechtman said,
While not equal in quantity to that OF
1896, is far superior in quality, and it
is expected that fair prices Will be re-
ceived throughout the season.
From recent advices he felt secure
in saying that prices for plums and
prunes will be better during the coming
week than in the past, though there
has heretofore been little cause for
grumbling.
Crawford peaches, said Mr. Hecht-
man, have been badly burned by the
recent heated spell, the result being
| that the fruit is soft and ripens before
it attains full growth. The output OF
green peaches will be, consequently
much less than was expected.
Tokay grapes have been badly
burned, and advices show that the
crop throughout the State will be from
3;'3 13 to 60 per cent smaller than was
counted on earlier in the season. Rails
in grapes, he said. have also been dam
aged, but to what extent is not yet
known.
Recent advices show that there was
no activity and no demand for dried
fruit, and the prospect is that there
will be none until green fruit ship
ments are all in.
E. 7. Earl, President Of the Earl
Fruit Company, in speaking of the
present outlook had this to say
THE Eastern markets are taking
larger quantities of California fruit
this season than last, and prices up to
date are averaging better, especially
for Bartlett pears, and peaches The
Eastern fruit crop is short, compared
with year ago, especially in the line
of peaches, and this is proving of ad-
vantage to California peach growers
THE total shipments of California
fruit up to the 7th inst. aggregate
about 1,00O carloads. compared with
about 100 carloads for the same date
in 1896.
THE first London shipment, which
left California on June Doth, arrived in
London on the 10Th inst, and sold yes
terday, the 10th. Good Bartlett pears,
in half boxes of two layers, sold at
81 6S to 81 GA, average 81 S4 Some
small, inferior Bartletts sold at an
average of 81. Souvenir de Congress
pears in half-boxes, averaged 81 "A.
Assorted plums and prunes sold at 81
to 81 81 per crate, averaging 81 30.
Hales' early peaches sold at 81 A Ito
50 1G, averaging 81 6S.'