The San Francisco call., 1908-07-07
LOCAL MARKETS
THE 1905 CANNED FRUIT PACK
Fruit Running to Small Sizes and the
Fancy Large Grades VIII Be Scarce

The California canneries company say in a
THE packing of fruits for 1908 is now Wig
orously being carried The pack Of cherries
is about finished, and has been good average
pack although the quality of the fruit has been
unusually small in size.
The packing of apricots from the early sec
tions has been progressing by number OF
clean and free from bemishes of any kind but
as indicated in previous letters, 1t has been un
usually small. This was caused by the quantity
OF fruit on the trees. The result is that there
will be shortage in the higher grade goods
such as extras and extra standards. and they
will average smaller in size than in previous
years. The crop from the later sections around
the bay. Santa Clara county and Alameda county,
is unusually heavy, but large apricots will be
short. In addition to this the crop in these
later sections is not as clean and free from
blemishes as has been the in the earlier
sections. 1t can, therefore. safely be predicted
that there will be no surplus packed of extras
or extra standards If there Is any surplus it
will go into the lower grades. such as second
and water goods, but these grades being
sold at very low prices there will undoubtedly
be a cleanup.
1T is too early to definitely predict the pack
OF other fruits, but from the present outlook
the same conditions will prevail Bartlett
pears and peaches of all varieties, apricots
and cherries; while there is likely to be heavy
crop 1t will be small in size and the quantity of
canned goods of the higher grades, viz. extras
and extra standards, will not be more than
sufficient to supply the ordinary demand. with
possible shortage. This result has been
brought about in two ways, first the failure
lists. second by the unusual drought that pre-
vailed during the spring months.
PURCHASING PROSPECTS
''Since last writing opening prices have been
named By all the leading packers. These prices
have been on much lower basis than in pre-
vious years, but in this country buying has been
very conservative and is likely TO continue
In England, owing to The drop in prices, the
demand has been considerably heavier than in
previous years. We do not look for any
usually heavy buying in the United States, IL
undoubtedly being the policy of all the large
buyers TO purchase for their actual requirements
only and thereby force the packer TO carry
the goods. We believe. however. that the
buying will be more continuous than in pre-
vious years, but it will be a heavy load for the
packers TO carry, and it will depend upon their
financial backing whether they will be in po-
sition to do this.
We confidently predict. an advance before
very long in the price Of of the high
grades in California canned fruits. caused by
the conditions mentioned above, and we look
for steady trade which will take all the low
grade goods that can be packed. at low prices.
Some Gamers, who in their anxiety to sell are
cutting prices, may find themselves In a di-
lemma later on in their capacity to furnish the
higher grades for their quality will be scrutin-
lied very carefully, and If it does not come up
to the seasons average in size they may have
to make big allowances when the goods reach
their destinat ton