The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-19
Immense Growth Of Consumption OF
Tropical Fruits I'm All Parts of
the United States.
POTATO RAISING IN GERMANY
MORE THAN FIVE TIMES As MANY
GROWN As IN AMERICA.
Principal Food OF a Large Glass of the
People-New Automobile Regu-
istIonssfn England.
Special to the Ind,arsro,,, 1ourr,,

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1S.-The opposition
TO the Cuban treaty on the part of people
IN the fruft-growing sections OF the United
states may be excused on the ground OF
personal interett in the possible future de-
veiopmsnt OF Cuban trade. The planters
In the island are looking forward to an
extensive increase in the area devoted to
fruit production so soon as favorable trade
relations are established with the United
States Cuba is favored by shortness of
distance and the very high character of its
products. and an example is at hand in
the island OF Jamaica, which has been
saved from bankruptcy by encouraging
the trade in fruits. This trade now con-
sututes 90 per cent. OF the jamaican ex-
ports. for even the immense amount OF
sugar shipped from there never exceeds
10 per cent. Of the export trade.
The consumption of tropical fruits in the
United States has developed in an ex-
traordinary manner. for during the past
fiscal year the United States bought from
foreign countries about $220oO.OO0 worth.
while thirty years ago the importations
amounted to less than half that amount.
in 1870 only 100000 worth of tropical fruits
were bought by the American people, The
imports of bananas alone into the United
States in 1902 amounted to more than the
total imports of fruits in the year men
toned These now come from the British
west Indies, Central America, Cuba and
Italy. the imports from Italy alone
amounting to over 100000. If Italy can
send 100000 worth OF lemons TO the
United States in a single year the Cuban
planters believe that they can successfully
compete and secure a large part, If not ALL
of this italian trade
France imports her fruit from Spain:
Germany likewise. England gets all of her
oranges from Spain and lemons from Italy
Russia's fruit trade is with Italy and, in
fact, nearly all Of the European countries
depend upon Spain and Italy for their
tropical fruits. Consul Bartlernan. at Ca
dig. Spain, seems to think that the Cali
fornia and Florida industries can be so en-
couraged as TO supply the home market.
no distant day In the future, the United
states should not become an exporter Of
oranges and lemons. Cuba will undoubted-
come less and less dependent upon sugar
and tobacco for her income.
XXX
- Consul Monaghan, in writing of the Ger
man opinion of Oriental trade. does not find
much enthusiasm among the German man.
ufacturers over their possible increase of
business In that direction. The American
consul concludes that the difficulty has
been In securing reliable commercial rep
resentatives- An organ of the German ex-
port trade. In discussing this matter, makes
some observations which may be of value,
or at least OF interest, to American firms
contemplating representation in the scram-
bic for the trade of the Orient. This paper
says that IL business Is TO be conducted
upon wholesale plan IT is wise to at
tempt TO engage big representative
who has been in the business for long
time and can show unmistakable proof of
honesty ard business integrity. Generally
1t is difficult to engage such firms. because
very frequently they are already in the
service OF some prominent competitor who
came first upon the field. Then, also, they
are. as a rule, crowded with work, as men
with unblemished regulations who are cap
able OF running large wholesale business
In the Orient for a European exporter are
rare and cannot be picked UP every day.
IL Is claimed. however, that, though these
responsible parties may be reluctant to
undertake any more business, if they can
be prevailed upon to do so. great conf
In case OF articles which are to be pushed
IN the markets on a small scale. and main
~ IN the retail trade. the engagement of
be advisable, and that IL is especially in
such cases that great circumspection is
necessary In making choice. Many of
these smaller firms have been upon the
commercial blacklist for years. vet man
age To cover up their tracks so shrewdIy
that the unsuspecting are an easy prey.
The American consul thinks thai these
facts make the situation plain enough 10
show that Oriental representatives cannot
without the most scrutinizing investiga-
ton. To make a choice among those who
offer themselves through correspondence is
the height OF folly unless those Who apply
for the place are able TO produce evidence
Of their responsibility and integrity guar
anteed by some well-known firm which
has consented TO act as a sort OF insurer.
A curious illustration of the dinerenc,
In the component parts OF the diet of tw,
peoples Is found in Consul Warmers re
port upon the potato industry in Germany
He calls attention to the fact that in Ger
many. a country with an area OF abou
two hundred thousand square miles, Their
are nearly ten million people engaged Il
agriculture and that In the United States
with an area OF over three sinillion squar
miles. there are only about the same mum
Der. Notwithstanding the greater area Il
the United States and the much create
population. the potato production was les
than S0U0O0.Voo bushels In the Cnite
States, while in Germany IL was over 1855.
90 bushels.
The yield OF potatoes in the Unite
States II about ninety-six bushels to tn
acre while In Germany IL is over 200 bush
els to the acre. showing more intense an
careful cultivation and more liberal us
production OF potatoes I'm Germany
nearly twenty-nine bushels. while in tn
United States il Is less than four bushels
The per capita consumption OF potatoes /
Germany is a little less than twenty min
bushels and in the United States less tha
four bushels.
In Germany, as well as In nearly ever
other European country. potatoes form III
principal food OF very large class @
people and then again seven-eighths O
the alcohol produced In Germany is mad
from potatoes. Every large farm has IL
potato disttllery. which is under the cor
troll OF the government. The manufactur
of starch glucose and other by product
OF the potato are very large industries. Tn
price OF the product as compared in th
two countries shows that potatoes are sol
In Germany for manufacturing purpose
for 1882 cents per bushels and for food 4
2D9 cents per bushei, while in the Unite
States the farm value OF the product dur
ing the past year was AZ cents per bushe
There Is very large import trade in pots
toes In a great many countries. especial
atiyes abroad no reason why the Unite
States should not get some OF this trad
though IL u evident that the Europea
farmers are able TO produce these tubers
= much smaller cost than the ruling MAJ
kat rrtc1 A. - United States