The St. Lucie County tribune. (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Fla.) 1905-1920, 1909-05-28
COAST
P|NEAPPLES
Preference Is Given Over Cuba
and Porto Rico Shipments
HIGHEST PRICES PAID
Little Comparison Between the Florida
Pines and Those of Other Sections
As Shown by Rating In Markets

The pineapple crop of the East Coas
this season will total fully one million
crates, which is probably the largest
quantity of the fruit raised in the
history of the industry in this section
of Florida.
Of this vast crop nearly one half of
it will come from St. Luce county,
and nearly all the remainder from
Palm Beach and Dade counties; but a
small portion will come from Dade,
for as it now sta DIS, since the division,
the pineapple industry is in its infancy
in that county.
A gentleman who is one of the larg-
est growers in this section and
thoroughly versed on the subject, said:
Last season the total pineapple crop
appropriated 10000 crates, but this
season it will go much larger-fully
one million crates or more. The fruit
is of good size and in demand, though
the market is low"
To the large crop of Cuban pines,
which, by the service now given by the
East Coast railway in its through
vegetable and fruit train from Knights
Key, allowing shipments from the
island to reach American markets
quicker and cheaper than the Florida
fruit, is attributed the low price. The
pineapple special has the right of way
over all trains on the road including
passenger trains, feature not allowed
local freights.
In nearly all the markets the Florida
pines are favored and bring a price
slightly above the Cubans.
Jen, en- this week will move over
fifty cars, six to eight being shipped
daily and all along the line they are
moving freely. A large part Of the
Jensen crop was contracted for before
the season and about $3.50 crate is
being averaged.
In the Plttsburg market last week
Florida pines are reported to have held
up well. They ranged, in jobing
way, from $2.25 to $2.35 a crate, while
Cubans were in'light demand and sold
at 81. so to $500.
Receipts of Havana pineapples in
New York were heavy last week and
the market active. Prices were low.
Cuban pines have not be giving
good satisfaction as a good part of the
green stock coming turns black before
opening. Twenty-fours sold at $l.35
% 81. So; 3Os 81. 30 to 81 as; 36s $1.25 to
81 35; and AIS 81. 20 to $l.3O.
The quality of Porto Rico pines show
great improvement and the stock is re-
,eived in fine condition and brings good
prices. Most stock is well colOred and
'eady for immediate consumption; 24s
md 3Os brought $l.50 to 81. IS; 36s 81 40
o SLIGO and 42s, $l.75. For good ex-
ra fancy stock buyers paid prem
UNI over these prices. !
Florida stock is in light receipt and
he general range was $l.85 to 81 for
As; Sl.75 to 81. IS for Cos and $l.50 to |
j. IS for 36s.
Florida produce finds ready sale
anywhere. Though California is much |
earer the State of Washington than
florida and produces oranges and vege-
ables, yet those from Florida are pre-
erred.
The Seattle Intelligencer of the 18th
aid: "Two carloads of Florida celery
nd pineappes arrived here today. Two
ars of tomatoes from Florida which
yere scheduled to arrive today have
cen held up somewhere between Bill
1gs and Seattle to be iced. The to-
latoes were becoming Overripe and
nd to save any further loss the cars
led. One car may arrive here tomOr-
ow, while the other will probably ar
i've Friday. The celery is selling at
4. so per crate. The piEeapples are
SIS and 1925 per crate, and
,matoes 81 per basket. The number
pineapples to the crate ranges from
4 to SO. Strawberries were cheap again
oday, the price being $3.50 per crate.
otatoes were firm today with best
rades bringing $45 per ton.
Zone carload of mixed oranges arriv-
today. Navels are bringing $3.50
!, 1925 per box and the sweets SO to
3.25 per box. Grapefruit 81 and So
err crate, wax beans rs cents per
ound, egg plants IL cents per pound,
eppers Sc. 50 per crate.
compare the above prices with those
REVEALING in Florida and vast differ
nee will be found"