The San Francisco call., 1905-08-21
REPORTS CONE
FROM CONSULS.
Tell of Condition of Euro
pean Crops That Compete
With California Products
SHORTAGE is SHOWN
Lemons, Prunes and Al
mOndS Affected by Unsatis-
factory Weather Conditions
SHORTAGE is SHOWN

Reports from the American commercial
agents and Consuls in Europe on the
trult conditions and markets have been
received by the California Horticultural
Commission. Messina, Budapest, Malaga,
Alicante, Alemira. Castallamau and Pa
lermo are the centers from which the
crop prospects and present market rat
ings are sent On the whole, the condi-
tons are unfavorable
Consul Birch of Malaga writes that a
syndicate has been organized to control
the almond market of Malaga. 1t COM
prises the seven principal exporters. This
company is called the Compania Almen-
orera. Birch's report is as follows:
The Spanish almonds of commerce are
the Jordan and Valencia brands. The
ordinary crop OF the former Is about TO-
600 boxes. while the yearly yield of Va
lencia' usually numbers more than double
that figure. Malaga is the exporting CEN
Ter, and as no competitors are in sight
II is likely that the Compania Almen-
orera Will handle the entire business"
From Alicante comes the news that the
prices are not yet quoted on almonds for
the year. Consular Agent Carey says:
The prospects and conditions of the
almond crop this year are, on the whole,
poor, owing to the drought experienced in
the district of Alicante. In size the crop
can be considered good, but the lack of
rain has prevented the growth OF the
fruit, especially in the non-irrigated dis
tricts, where the kernels are particularly
small"
Owing TO the frosty weather in Castal-
lamau the green crop of lemons is de
stroyed, according TO Commercial Agent
CrOwinshield Ten thousand boxes is es-
timated as the size of the crop, and the
rates are the same as last year. The cold
Of the last winter has had a good effect
on the walnutS.
Consular Agent Carleton of Alemira
says raisins do not enter into the export
trade Of the city and the muscatel grape
is not raised. He says attention is given
solely 10 the white grape.
Palermo lemons viii be sold in large
quantities, according to the news from
Agent Paterurtif. The crop is said 10 be
one-third less than last year. The quail
ity and size Of the fruit is said TO be up
10 the average.
Only one-half Of last years crop Of
prunes is expected in Austria. as reported
by Consul General Chester of Budapest.
There will De 2000 carloads if the crop
suffers no further damage. The fruit was
small. though plentiful. last year. and
the reverse is true of the present season.
Summer lemons in Messina are reported
one-fourth larger than last year by Con-
sui Caniugly. and the quality is much
better. The following report is made of
the almond crop:
The almond crop promises to be of
good quality, and il is estimated that the
yield will reach 10000 bags of fifty kilos
each This, it viii be understood, repre-
sents the probable product of the island.
To attempt to give an estimate of the
yield Of the district would be useless. for
the reason that the expectation is not
confined absolutely 10 production of
certain locality. Exporters buy from
every part Of Sicily. and a bag of almonds
or hlberts shipped from Messina contains
the products Of every district in Sicily"