220 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



of profit for the California almonds, but it is with pleasure that we state 

 that like our walnuts, we find a wide-spreading and increasing demand 

 every year. The Tarragona imported almond has been the principal nut 

 in favor by the eastern trade. This is a very large and thick-shelled nut, 

 and is not to be compared with the soft-shell California almonds in any 

 way. It being of larger size, and there being nothing else to compete with 

 it, it has taken the bulk of the trade, but there is no question that it has 

 seen its best days, and that the soft-shell almonds of California are rapidly 

 taking its place. Dealers are generally finding out, and consumers espe- 

 cially, that paying 14 or 15 cents per pound for a shell is a pretty dear price. 

 The shells of the California almonds are very light, and the dealer prin- 

 cipally in buying these nuts, gets meat and not shells. A good many new 

 almond orchards are being planted throughout the State, and it is only a 

 question of time when we shall be able to supply the trade all over the 

 Union with these goods. There are good years and bad years in this indus- 

 try, but taking it one year with another, an almond orchard pays the owner 

 good returns. 



Extracted Honey. — This was the off year in the extracted honey indus- 

 try, and we report quite a large decrease in *the product from last season, 

 and the quality generally, as far as color is concerned, has not been as 

 good. On account of the light crop, however, prices have ruled from 25 to 

 50 per cent better, so those producers who had good crops have received 

 very satisfactory returns. We do not think there is any question anyway, 

 but what the honey of California is the finest produced in the world, both 

 as regards color and flavor. Our bee men have had many discourage- 

 ments to contend with, the principal among which is the competition with 

 the low grade black honey of Cuba, as well as the Chili honey, but as the 

 consumers get to using California honey more, they call for it and are 

 willing to pay advanced prices. One thing can be said in .regard to Cali- 

 fornia honey, and that is, nine cases out of ten, shipments made from here 

 are absolutely pure honey. The article has been and is still so reasonable 

 in price, that there is nothing that it could be adulterated with, or that 

 would pay to do so. We are pleased to note that our suggestion made last 

 year in regard to dispensing with old oil cans and cases and using new cans 

 and cases, has been to some extent adopted, but there is still considerable 

 room for improvement in this matter. While the old tins as used here are 

 thoroughly cleaned with potash and, as a rule, are all right, they have a 

 very unpresentable appearance, and it would pay our producers much 

 better, and they would get enough more for their honey, if they would 

 put it up in new cases and cans. 



California Comb Honey. — Like extracted honey, this product is also 

 reduced in quantity this year. The quality, however, has been very good, 

 and has brought much higher prices. Our suggestion made for several 

 years past to put up this honey in one pound frames instead of two pound, 

 we are glad to note is being gradually adopted. As a general proposition, 

 the one pound frames are preferable, especially when the goods are to go 

 East. On this coast, and in the Territories, two pound frames are all right 

 enough, as the average consumer there is willing to buy that quantity, but 

 for the far eastern trade, where things are brought down to a finer point, 

 one pound frames are much more desirable, and sales are frequently lost 

 on California -comb honey from the fact that it is put up in two pound 

 frames. Notwithstanding discouragements now and then, the honey 



