The record-union., 1897-07-22
A SACRkMENTAN IN LONDON.
AFTERMATH OF THE GREAT
VICTORIA JUBILEE.
Edward Bonnheim Writes Also
About California Fruits In
That Metropolis.

appearance. The faded shredded dec
orations, which just a week ago rivaled
in brilliancy the gaudy uniforms of the
Colonial troopers from India and the
South of Africa, are being torn down.
The carpenters are demolishing the
street stands unmindful of the fact that
a few inches of the wood commanded
small fortune a short eight days ago.
The three million visitors having ex-
hausted their pocketbooks have left for
home, relieving the congested thorough
fares of the enormous traffic.
The jubilee is an event or history, but
the enterprising, substantial trading
center remains. London dominates ey-
cry enterprise of the British Kingdom.
Her great merchants and financiers are
the life and sinew of trade and manu-
facture. She seals the success or doom
of every undertaking. 1t is natural,
therefore. that sought this market to
learn the possibilities for our California
fruits.
Our dried and canned fruits are no
longer novelty in Great Britain. In
fact, our canned apricots, pears and
peaches have already become great IA
vorites, and, might say, their sale is
doubly appreciates this product. They
not alone like the fruit, but they value
the ease with which it is served. All
kitchen drudgery is done away with.
The can is opened, the fruit poured out
and an inviting dish tempts your palate.
The success of our canned goods in
Great Britain is an assured fact. Not
so. however, with our dried fruits. Dried
49,
great drawback in the eyes of many.
The new woman is not a rarity in
Great Britain. She has thoroughly de-
fined ideas on emancipation and loves
not too well the tedious and laborious
work of the household. The dishes re-
quiring the least preparation become
great favoriteS in q short time Those
needing special preparation and atten-
ton do not meet with a hearty recep-
ton. This condition is not unduly over
drawn by me. but is a fact. The best
proof of my assertion is furnished by
the English people in their preference
of tea over coffee. They drink tea morn
ing, noon and evening. Good tea is easy
to make-good coffee much more diff
cult. Hence the great consumption of
the former. It seems an odd compari
son, but it's to the point, and laughingly
acknowledged to be SO by many whom
] have met
Our dried peaches have been offered
for sale for several years, but the re-
suits have proven an utter disappoint-
ment. While chatting with an expert
on dried fruits L endeavored to trace
the cause for this failure. A box of the
fruit was sent for. The expert put his
nose to it and exclaimed with a look of
utter disgust. Smell 'em!" 1 smelled
them, but failed to discover any serious
defect. Further conversation developed
the fact that the English people dislike
the smell of our peaches. 1t is disgust
ing to them, and they decline to buy.
Argument will not prevail. The verdict
has been given. and the prospect de-
stroyed for dried peaches in Great Brit
ain
There is a limited demand for pears,
but apricots and black prunes are en-
joying a steady and increasing sale.
Our apricots seem to meet with no COM
petition. Not So however, with our
prunes. Spain, Italy and France send
their product to the London market,
and not alone does the quality in some
cases compare more than favorably with
ours, but the ruling prices are lower.
A close comparison of the fruit devel-
opes the fact that our prunes have very
large stones and a tough, heavy skin.
1t is not likely that the size of the stone
can be reduced, but the comparative
toughness Of skin may be due to our
manner of curing the fruit.
I would advise to study this matter
closely Our practical men might ex-
pertinent with the view of obviating the
above objection. Every objection to our
fruit overcome means additional popu-
larity, increased sales and subsequent
prosperity.
Another reason why our dried fruit
is gaining ground so slowly in Great
Britain is due to the fact that our can
ned goods sell at seemingly very low
prices. A comparison of London retail
prices of canned and dried fruits seems
to be UNNECESSARILY in favor of the
former from the public's point Of view,
The most prominent London retailer
sells can OF apricots at ID cents. while
he asks for a pound of the dried fruit
is cents.
While we know that it takes four
pounds of the green fruit to make one
pound of dried, and that the dried fruit
increases in bulk correspondingly dur
ing the process of cooking. such argu-
ment will not prevail with the British
public. They adhere to their belief that
a two-and- one-h alf-pound can of fruit
At 13 cents is cheaper and more advan-
tageous than a pound of dried fruit at
16 cents. They back their opinion by
purchasing the canned fruit freely. and
the dealers admit that their sales have
doubled in the past two years and are
increasing daily.
My judgment tells me that it is good
policy to give the people what they
want. Trade conditions and tastes diff
fer in every country. England admits
our canned goods free but levies a duty
on our dried fruit Germany on the
contrary, levies but a slight duty on our
dried fruits. and practically shuts out
the canned goods. The lesson is plain
one and requires little study. Great
Britain win prove valuable market
for our canned fruits. Germany viii
prove equally valuable for our dried
product. The German woman is devoted
TO her household and to her kitchen
She prefers to prepare the daily food,
rather than buy it ready made"
Our fresh fruit found much favor last
year in England. IT is impossible at
this time to gauge the prospects of the
present season. Much depends on the
crop and competition of France. for that
country is our most serious competitor
in the London market. Its fruit is fine
The distance and transportation
charges are insignificant. Consequently
the fruit arrives in excellent condition