The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-03-31

With 43 per cent of the crop yet to
be paid for we cannot make any defin-
ite estimate as to the amount which
will be received for the fruit yet un-
paid. with the exception that we are
reasonably sure that the final returns
will be about the same as on the fruit
paid for up to the present time, unless
there is a serious break in the market.
The average price received for fruit
for the 1919 seasons crop was 81. 80 I;
for 1920 SLIGO. based on the 81 per
cent collected for. There are three
factors which fairly offset the differ
ence in the price of these two years,
viz: The proportion of the better
grades of 1919 over 1920, together with
the proportion of small sizes in 1920
over 1919, plus the extra amount paid
for transportation, would in my ludg-
ment easily overcome the difference in
prices. In other words. if the grade
and size of the fruit had been as desr-
able in 1920 as in 1919 and the railroad
transportation had remained the same,
we would have received practically as
much for our fruit in 1920 as we did in
1919. In fairly considering this mat
ter and the prices obtainedothis season,
we must bear in mind the fact that the
average price received by the Associa
tion last year for its fruit was higher
than we had ever received before in
the history of the Association and for
at least nine years last past.
The foregoing. however. were not
all of the conditions which handicapped
the selling of the 1920 seasons crop. A
few of the other serious conditions we
wish to call your attention to are as
follows, viz:
Large Crop in the East
While the box apple crop was not as
large in 1919, in that year the barrel
apple crop was very small, while in
1920 the barrel apple crop was the
largest in the history of the country
and had depressing effect not only
from the quantity of fruit grown, but
also from the depressing effect it had
on the minds of the buyers who were
not willing to buy in the face of a
large barrel apple crop, only at ex-
tremely low prices.
The excessive freight rates which
we're from 22c per box for heater service
to 25c per box for icing service higher
than in 1919, had their depressing eff
feet.
The European prices this year have
been unsatisfactory on practically ev-
cry variety except possibly Newtowns,
from the fact that the shipment of
OarreIed stock has been at least four
lines larger than last year and ship
nent of boxed apples at least half
arger.
The cotton producing districts which
nave heretofore given us a satisfactory
)utlet for our small apples and off va
-ieties, on account of the low price of
cotton for the past season, have taken
no apples.
One striking illustration of the lack
# outlet in the manufacturing dis
.ricts throughout the country is the
factories in this city were operating at
'ull capacity this city used about five
,5) cars of tier apples per day, and
all for lunch boxes. This |
,eason it has been authoritatively |
tated that Detroit. largely on account |
# the closing down of the automobile |
has not consumed to exceed |
me car of tier apples every two
weeks.
While these conditions go to show |
he serious conditions with which our |
Sales Department was confronted in |
he selling of our fruit, the result and |
he prices obtained were so satisfac-
ory under these adverse conditions, it |
conclusively that we owe
o the Sales Department a debt of |
and | take this opportunity |
# commending them together with |
ZACH and every one connected with this |
in securing these final re-
ults which when we take into consid- |
ration all of the conditions with which
hey had to contend, are most crafty
ng.
Consolidated Fruit Company, Inc.
l may state here that while have
mentioned many of the adverse condi- |
ions this season over last, there is one |
to which ] wish To call your
ttention that / feel assisted the Sales |
Department this year over that of any /
,revious year. | refer TO the Consoli- |
lated Fruit Company. Inc, which has
'een organized for the purpose of as
listing the growers in the Northwest /
o get a little closer to the consumer
nd to secure for the grower nearer
hat portion of the Just fruits of his
abor than he has been able to do un-
er previous existing conditions of the
Sew York market.
Directly in charge of this Company