The San Francisco call., 1898-08-27
THE RAIsIN TRADE.
ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE CROP OF 1898
 Is CONCENTRATED.


 IS CONCENTRATED.
 The California RaIsin Growers Association of Fresno Is out with the following circular;
 FRESNO, California, Aug. 27, lsss To the Trade: The California Raisin Grow CTS Association has been organized for the purpose of establishing a high standard or quality of all rais.ns to ee sold under its brand to put a stop to the shipment of inferior raisins and to fix and maintain reasonable price for the product throughout the year, from harvest time to harvest time.
 The directors Of this association believe that if these ideas faithfully carried out the dealers in raisins will take more interest in this particular product will purchase more freely and will push the sale of raisins and thus greatly increase our market
 At this writing we have under our control % per cent Of the crop Of the State. and within two three weeks expect to secure at least per cent more. Our growers con tract places the raislns absolutely in our hands to be packed and sold. under penalty of s20 per acre. cent per pound of raisns, crop to Packers handling s5 per cent of the crop have also signed contracts with us to pack and sell our raisins. and they are under a penalty of s20 per ton not to pack. buy or sell any raisins outside of our association. Under OUT packers contracts we retain control of the raisins and when sales are reported to us we will issue invoices direct to purchasers, and have drafts and bills of ladng made out to our own order. Packers are at liberty to pay cash for raisins and thus control shipments. compel us 10 withdraw our business from the offender No raisins will be shipped signmert Purchasers will have the right to examine goods arrival before delivery and paying draft. Packers guarantee to sales reported, provided the raisins are of the qual- fly indicated by inspectors mark the package. All raisins to be packed under the supervision of the inspectors appointed and controlled by us.
 We pledge ourselves to begin our sales at our minimum prices. to raise prices moderately ct intervals. and not to lower prices at any time before the new crop comes in next year If through scarcity of dried fruit, or for any other cause. the market will justify it, will make larger advances in prices; but have no desire to check consumption by unduly in- creasng prices. Any surplus not wanted by the market will be sold for export, to the wineries for brandy making
 All sales will be made through the packers or their selling agents, and any orders sent di- rectly to us will be returned to the sender with the request that the purchase be made through the channels above mentioned.
 In view of the most unsatisfactory methods of marketing our raisin crop in practice dur ing past years confidently hope for the dial support of the trade in present efforts to so manage the business that it will be a source of profit and pleasure to all in any way connected with the industry; and desire to call especial attention to seeded raisins which are sure to become popular with all house. keepers soon their merits become known, and which are now packed with great and in most attractive nepound cartons. Very truly yours,
 California Raisin Growers Association,
 M. THEO KEARNEY, President.