The record-union., 1897-10-28

showing plainly that it was not the
condition of the market abroad that
caused the lower quotations in the first
instance. but the lack of an under
standing of the situation by our own
people and an organization that would
enable them to take advantage of it,
SHIPPERS SHOULD AGREE AS TO
PRICE.
AS between California exporters there
should be no rivalry as to price. Let
them contend as to who shall pack the
best, but in quoting certain grades the
price demanded by each should be the
same. Otherwise they virtually put
California fruit right in competition
with itself, and the result is to confuse
the trade and unnecessarily depress the
market. The American Consul-G- leral
at Hamburg says on this subject in a
letter which is given in full further
on in this report:
1T is but natural and proper that
Americans should engage in healthy
and spirited competition against each
other in their own country, but in
reaching out for a new and difficult
foreign field they should stand organ
lied and united"
This sage advice is the result of four
years close study of the situation by
keen business man and experienced
and able diplomat, and, bearing as 1t
does so directly on the situation as re-
CARDS the California fruit trade abroad,
it should be pondered seriously by our
people.
GROWERS SHOULD ORGANIZE.
1t would undoubtedly be better for
the grower, the packer and the State
at large if some arrangement could be
entered into by which prices that would
insure a reasonable profit to the pro-
ducer could be agreed upon early in the
season. Such an arrangement, besides
insuring the grower against loss, would
be notice to the Gamer and packer as
to what his pack would cost, and he
would be able then to agree with his
neighbor in the same business as to
what they should quote their goods for
to the trade. OF course, we know hun
dreds will rise up to say that the grow
er viii not organize, and that the pack
ers will not agree as to price. This
point we are not proposing to dispute
or argue, but are simply trying to show
the advantage that might be theirs If
they would
1t is not the province of this report
to engage in predictions. but we hope
to be pardoned for saying that we be-
lieve if this new method could be
adopted, and along with it's inaugura-
ton a limited amount of means be pro-
vided for further educating the people
abroad regarding our products and
pushing the foreign market, the fruit
business in California would soon find
itself on a sound and profitable basis,
and the day would be much nearer
when this State could dictate the price
of canned and dried fruits to the world.
DRIED FRUITS LEAD.
OF the California products exhibited
in Germany that attract the most atten-
ton, and are likely to find the most
ready market, the dried fruits take the
lead.
OUR PRUNES.
Our prunes there are well liked, but
they meet a severe competition from
France, Hungary, Bosnia, Ser
VIA Slayonia, Bohemia, Moravia, Bull
garia, Roumania, Bessarabia and other
prune countries of the old world.
THE PRUNE CROP THIS YEAR.
1t might be Of interest, however, to
mention in this connection that the crop
outlook in most of these countries this
year is not very favorable; or, at least,
it was not according to the latest reli-
able reports. A bulletin issued by P.
Winterstein & Son of Berlin the latter