Evening star., 1928-04-02
HEAVY. .PAI|C|K'SSEEN| ( !. |:
Meaning TRADE
Industry Looking Forward to
Most Profitable Season All
Over Country.
BY J. C. RoYLE.
snatch 10 The Star.

SneciAI DienatCn 10 ING star
NEW YORK, April Although the
heavy packing season in this country
does not really begin until June /. the
operations already started with straw
berries. spinach and asparagus indicate
a splendid rate of activity for the year:
The consuming season for the 1871
pack is drawing to a close and STOCKS
of canned goods are low. This Is IN
direct contrast to the situation a year
ago, when there was heavy carry-oVer
from 1926. Present supplies Will pe
pretty well exhausted by the time the
1928 goods come to the market.
This means a difference not only TO
the farmers and fruit growers ana can
ners, but to grocers and every mouse
wife in this country and most OF those
throughout the world. For the can
opener has become one OF the most
used kitchen utensils.
Profit Margin Slight.
Growers and Gamers for the last year
have produced and marketed their
goods on a very slight margin of profit.
prices have been steady and increased
demand gives promise of better things
for this years pack. Consumption OF
California fruits and vegetables, for eX-
ample. has been heavier than ever be-
fore. This is being reflected in the OPP
erations of the tin plate and can manu-
facturers. In the glass industry and IN
the nonferrous metals markets.
The California spinach pack Is light
In most sections. although rains may
extend the packing season and tend TO
make ND this shortage. Some cam
neries on the Pacific Coast have already
started on the asparagus pack, and
this week most of the plants in the
Sacramento Valley. where 80 per cent
of the worlds supply is canned, VIII be
in operation, with outlook for large
output.
Apricot Gamers Licked"
The apricot Gamers in the last year
took good licking" by bidding heavily
against driers and paying SIS a ton.
This compared with price of $l2.50
for canning peaches and left little mar
gin of profit on the pack of 3,l16.7l3
cases put up in California alone. Pack
ers are not likely to repeat this mistake,
and the tendency Is TO pay more atten-
ton to quality. and prevent excessive
packs in any one commodity. ses.
Canning peaches. In California Is a
sore spot and this crop seems likely to
be overproduced there. AS a result OF
last years price war between Gamers
and growers. $4,000 tons of clingstones
were wasted. Efforts are being made
to limit the pack this year. but no
definite solution OF the problem there
has yet been found
Indications are that the fruit crops
Of the Southeastern States viii be about
normal this year, barring severe
weather In the next three weeks. Spring
freezes have always determined the size
of the peach crop of Georgia. The great
part of the crop, however. will be mar
keted fresh and profits viii depend on
distribution and freight rates. Distri-
button seems likely TO be better than
a year ago. owing to the smoother work
ing Of the Peach Growers Exchange, a
cooperative organization. The question
Of rates Is still unsettled. despite the
PRONUNCIATION of new tariffs by the In
terstatc Commerce Commission.
See Bigger Freight Bill.
The new rates are being appealed by
Georgia congressional Representatives
who claim the new schedules will adj!
$3.50, 900 to the annual freight bill In
stead of atfording relief.
Early and late Georgia peaches have
always afforded fine profit to growers
and export shipments are sure to b.
enlarged in view Of the fine markets
London and Paris afforded to refrigei-
ated fruit in 1927.
The market for canned peaches haS
developed tremendously in recent years
but II seemingly has not been speedy
enough to take care of increases IN
production In California. which has re-
suited from heavy planting OF trees
since 1918.