REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 97 



fine to bring into competition with sun-dried French prunes, 

 as is done now in our Eastern markets, w^hich competition 

 would be eliminated in the Orient, as the inhabitants of that 

 climate demand a semi-tart fruit, a quality not possessed by 

 the sweet, insipid, sun-dried French prune of California. 

 Therefore this market belongs exclusively to the Pacific 

 Northwest, and these people should not be compelled to send 

 to Europe to supply the increasing demand. But, in order 

 to compete with European fruits, we must prepare our goods 

 as these markets demand it. Hon. A. Burlingame Johnson, 

 Consul at Amoy, covers this ground completely in his report 

 to our government, based upon the inquiry made by this 

 board. Permit me to quote : " There is a steadily increasing 

 demand among the natives for foreign fruits, Avhether canned, 

 dried, or preserved. The European population look to these 

 imported fruits almost exclusively to supply their tables. 

 Tinned pears, peaches, and apricots, come principally from 

 America, while preserved fruits, jams, and dried fruits still 

 come largely from Europe. The reason is apparent. The 

 American manufacturer will not, or does not, meet the con- 

 ditions required. Since there are no peaches or pears in 

 Europe which can compete with tliose of California, the 

 Oriental merchant has no choice ; in other lines he is not so 

 restricted. Prunes and raisins are largely used. The dried 

 fruit is put up in bottles and sealed. In no other way can it 

 be shipped to the tropics without great loss, as the humidity 

 of the climate, or insects, will soon render it unsalable. No 

 fruit, biscuits, crackers, or any other food product can be 

 safely shipped to central or southern China, or the Philip- 

 pines, without being sealed in glass bottles or tinned. The 

 English and Continental merchants and manufacturers under- 

 stand this, and put up their fruits accordingly. If tinned, 

 the tins are either painted or varnished to prevent rust and 

 consequent loss to merchants. 



The American manufacturer has found a market for his 

 product without these extra expenses, and is slow to meet the 

 demand ; hence dried fruit, jams, and tinned fruits are usually 

 bought in other countries where these necessary details are 

 looked after. If our exporters of fruit expect to hold the 

 market in the Philippines, or to gain a better footing in China, 

 they should begin by studying the conditions, and promptly 

 meeting them. Prices realized in China for fruits justify the 

 expense necessary to put them up so as to insure their being 

 in good condition when they reach the consumer." 



