Year: 1875

INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE EXPERIMENT OF
SENDING FRESH PEACHES OVER THE ATTAIN
TIc-wHY IT FAILED-oUEEN vIcToRAs DIS
APPOINTMENT.


PHILADELPHIA, Sept 80, 1875
The arrival of Mr. r. T. Lockwood on the steamship
Ohio, of the American line, Saturday last has ena-
bled to obtain further and definite information
about the peach exporting experiment of last month.
Our readers will recollect that large space in the
steamer OHIO reserved for the placement of
mense refrigerator into which the peaches put
the same day that they picked Tho steamer
sailed on the Goth of August with fifteen tons Of ice in
the refrigerator Upon the departure of the vessel tho
temperature of the refrigerator stood at sxty-sx
grees but the night it fell to fifty -four degrees
The next day 1t reached fifty degrees, and upon the
next day fortyeigh degrees. This it appears the
lowest point during the trip.


At noon the Both, four days out, the mercury had
risen to ftyone degrees and at the hour the
31st indicated fifty -four degrees and still tending
upward.


CONDITION OF THE PEACHES.


Feeling convinced that the ice supply exhausted,
after consultation with tho officers of the ship Mr..
Lockwood determined to open the refrigerator and
anime the contents. At tho time the steamer Off
the Banks of Newfoundland in dense fog. After a
partial subsistence of fog matches were opened
To obtain the refrigerator fifty crates
had to be removed The fruit in these crates dry
and in fine condition. This especially the with
the yellow varieties and Reeves favorites.


Captain Morrison then supplied ten tons of ice which
put in the refrigerator and the fruit returned its
proper place. The opening, examination and sealing of
the matches occupied but one hour and a quarter At
the starting OF the fan tho mercury SO degrees
and subsequent period did it reach lower than "a
degrees. 1t discovered that the fan had been
rapidly the friction of the atmosphere at high rate
of speed necessarily causing rapid exhaustion of
The speed was reduced and subsequently the fan was
stopped On the LIST and I'd of September the mercury
continued on the ascending scale reaching upon the last
date So degrees. From this until the 5th the mercury
rising but very slowly, but the 9th the advance
rapid that all hopes OF successful fruiton Of
the scheme abandoned by those interested for
and passengers were alike dcepX interested in the


ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER


On the 7th at A. NJ, the steamer anchored in the
Mcrscy. few hours after 1t was attempted to
tam the temperature but the evaporation from the fer
menting fruit entirely obscured the thermometer.
few revolutions OF the fan dspeed the moisture when
itwas perceived that the mercury standing ninety
degrees, while IN the outer air il Indicated but sixyh
. DISAPPOINTED ESGLIsHMEN.


The experiment had been heralded in advance and in
such sangune terms that deep interest manifested
on the part OF the popuacc as well dealers OF this
latter class number had come from London TO make
purchases and upon the arrival of the vessel many put
out from shore in tugs and small boats to anticipate the
demand II is said that an agent OF the Queen
present to look after supplies for the royal household
Upon communicating to the gathered crowds that the
peaches were rotten aud must be cast away, many
regrets were expressed.


RESULT.


Upon the opening of the matches sight and smell
greeted the eyes and nostrs which aside all nope
saving even portion Of the luscious fruit With the
exception of occasional peach in the centre Of crate
the entire mass reeking with fermentation and only
ft Tor distation.


portion OF Reeves favorte, which had been stored
in the ice room Of the ship carefully wrapped paper
were found, upon the arrival in excellent condition


The projectors Of this enterprise had built much upon
the large profits which they might expect, provided
all things went iavorably; but from inquiries, Ar.
Lockwood felt convinced that they would have been
seriously disappointed in this respect The quantity OF
peaches in the market from the Continent unusu-
ally great and the fruit large and in ne condition Be-
sides, many Of the nobility at this absent
from their homes and to them the dealer looks for his
best market.


This failure is regretted but knowing the character
Of the organizers of this first experiment. IL is assured
that they will make another attempt next season. and
with the knowledge and experience thus acquired they
will take such to prevent second disaster