Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-11


well. and. while some advances were
noted on certain brands during the
week and slight declines at other times
the market remains practically on the
same basis, with the exception of some
poor stock, which is not meeting ready
sale. There are still a number of ven-
tilated cars being offered that buyers
are discounting, as they invariably
show up In poor condition, although
the decay Is less observable this sea-
son, owing to the careful handling of
the fruit by growers and shippers.
Balance Of Navel Crop
1t is estimated that about 1000 cars
of navels are still to go forward, and,
although shippers are inclined to hold
back as much as possible in the hopes
of securing better prices, the continued
warm weather Is causing many of the
nayels to drop from the trees. Reports,
from the various sections state that
sweets are in unusually fine condition,
very few sections showing and puffy
fruit, which will enable shippers to
hold their sweets and undoubtedly real
lie good prices.
Cash buyers are plentiful, and grow
ers who were hurrying their fruit out
early in the season are now holding
Every indication points to a good
crop of fine Valencias this season,
and, while several growers are report
ed as having sold at 3 cents pound,
there Is no reason to get excited on &C
count OF the large crop.
! On the best stock California lemons
| the market Is improving continually
and orders for some Of the well-known
! brands are plentiful enough for several
| months to Ali them. The (. o. b. price
ON best stock lemons is $3.50, $40 for
the next best and $2.25 for next choice
The eastern markets have not made
any material advance In prices, al
though an occasional offering of best
stock meets with read sale at good
figures, the bulk OF the offerings being
poor.
A concerted movement has been
started by some of the local packing
houses to put into effect the gang
picking system that to a limited de-
gree was used this season. II all the
packers will consent 1t Ia likely that
next season all the fruit picking in this
district will be directly under the con-
troll of the packers, just the same as
the marketing Is at the present time.
Some of the companies do not favor
the plan, however, for their growers
have expressed opposition to 1t, and
prefer to see to their own orchards.
acting in the capacity of f. remain In
stead of having to employ that tndi-
vidual.
| Gdn9 FICkin8 bisCusecu
1t is cited by the growers that the
expense would be greater by the gang
picking method, as much material that
is now owned by the growers would
have to be purchased fresh by the
packers, and foremen would have to
| be employed to look after the work, IN
curing added expense, In addition to
not taking care of the fruit as would
be the case were the grower to have
1 In. "a
| On the other hand, packers set forth
the assertion that the work could be
better handled, and where was most
needed 1t would be done there, max
| Ing ii possible to get the best fruit ana
that which is in greatest need Tor
shipping In this way, the packers
who favor the plan say, they Will De
able to save much more than the ad-
ditional cost, II there is any.
From Rediands Junction, Helmet ana
| Banning advices received are TO the
effect that apricots will be full crop
this year. A bumper crop OF peaches
| is also assured.
or the estimated planting of 10000
acres OF cantaloupes at Imperial this
year, the general crop is undoubtediy
much earlier and there Will be some
large shipments made the later part
of May. Estimates run all the way
| from 1900 to $500 carloads.
| That there will be a scarcity OF help
| to nick the crop seems certain and the
associations are trying to get In toucn
with as large q number of Responsible
men as possible and there VIII be the
best chances for all who desire to con-
duct boarding houses to feed the pick
ers. as there is no provision made Dy
| the growers to board the men on ac-
count of a lack of house room and
general accommodations and shortage
of house help.
Good Apricot Prospect
| Prospects in Orange county are for
| the best apricot crop in years. The
| fruit is now well set and good prices
are expected on account OF the snort
age In other sections.
The crop of apricots in and around
| Ontario will be from one-half to one
third of a full crop this year.
From Elsinore comes report that
the apricot crop of the valley Will De
an excellent one, but the prune crop
will be light, because much or the
young fruit is dropping.
Los Angeles fruit canneries are De-
| ginning to put up fruit. Inc start Is
made with strawberries.
Although prices now are low, the
| fruit bought by the canneries on con-
| tract is not yet ripe. r. p. Bishop or
| Bishop & Co. saws that prices VIII be
a little lower this year than last, as
the crop will be heavy.
Strawberries will run all through the
summer. and In few weeks cherries
will be put up Most of the canneries
expect that the crop of black cherries
will be heavier than for the last sew
| eral seasons, and more of them Will De
canned than usual.