THE MONTHLY BULLETIN, 365 



shipping fresh, as the pear arrives in good condition — probably the best 

 shipper of all California fruits; he has a ready buj^er in the canner and 

 a good market for the dried article. Scab, scale and worms can be 

 prevented with reasonable care, and if the blight has no terrors, the 

 grower located on good soil seems in a most favored position for years 

 to come. 



PLUMS. 



Egg plums. Green Gage, Golden Drop plums and similar varieties 

 are used to a limited extent for canning. IBuyers object to the colored 

 varieties, as they discolor the syrup. The fruit is merely stemmed, 

 graded and washed, and packed whole without peeling or pitting. 

 About 2,500 tons are used for canning, and the price is usually from 

 $15 to $20 per ton. 



The varieties mentioned constitute those of great importance to the 

 canner, although the small fruits and berries are used by him as well as 

 by the maker of jams, jellies and preserves. 



It should be remembered that Avhile there may be a shortage on some 

 of these fruits of minor importance, it might not require much to create 

 a surplus, and a grower sliould consult the manufacturer before plant- 

 ing any of these varieties on a large scal^. California enjoys a fine 

 position with Royal Anne cherries, Bartlett pears, apricots. Yellow 

 Cling and White Cling peaches. There is strong export demand and 

 there are none better — if as good — but conditions are different with 

 our berries and small fruits. We'll have to admit it right here among 

 ourselves that they are no better than those grown elsewhere, and we 

 are largely dependent upon local trade. 



BERRIES. 



Blackberries have been produced in large quantities, chiefly in 

 Sonoma County, and are used extensively by canners. The Mammoth 

 and Lawton varieties are most common. About 2,000 tons are used by 

 canners and makers of preserves. The price has ranged about $40 per 

 ton. Far better results are secured from Loganberries, as these are 

 growing in favor, bring better price from the fresh fruit market, from 

 the canner and from the buyer of dried fruit ; in its fresh form the 

 price ranges from $55 to $75 per ton. Canners use about 750 tons. 

 The Phenomenal variety seems to be preferred. In the dried form 

 loganberries are likely to supplant the eastern dried raspberry; they 

 sell for about 23 cents to 25 cents per pound. 



From the point of view of the canner and maker of high class 

 preserves, California needs strawberries and raspberries of firmer tex- 

 ture and higher color. The varieties commonly grown are compara- 

 tively soft and juicy, suitable for jams and jellies, but not for preserves. 

 Such are the Dollar and Jessie varieties of the Florin district, and the 

 Banner and Malinda berries of the Watsonville district. The Long- 

 worth of the Alviso and Santa Clara districts has become too small to 

 give satisfaction to the canner or consumer. These varieties ordinarily 

 bring $60 to $70 per ton, while the Clarke, Wilson and other similar 

 varieties grown in Oregon bring $100 per ton ; they are apparently 

 more hardy, more thrifty, better for shipping and for the table, as well 

 as for canning. About 800 tons are used by canners and preservers, 

 but a much larger quantity could be used of better varieties. 



