20 
they ship to the distant islands of the Pacific, particularly to Australia. They say that 
just now they are having a large demand from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and even 
Texas. Prices quoted in San Francisco on the 28th of November are: Evaporated apples, 
9 to 93c.; sun-dried quarters, 3 to 4c., and sun-dried slices, 4 to 5e. You will see by this 
that sun-dried apples cannot successfully compete with evaporated, and I doubt if 
expense of manufacturing is very much less. Perhaps I ought to say that there is ar 
exception to this in what are knownas “heavy cut quarters,” sun-dried, from the north 
ern reserve of Ohio. They are in demand in New York, and have the highest reputation 
for export. " 
It was said by writers and others last year, in a consoling way, that a result of 
the low prices would be to open new markets, and consumers in these new markets once 
having tasted the delicious fruit, would never again be able to resist. But careful 
inquiry among dealers fails to furnish proof of any such happy state of affairs, or to reveal 
any new markets opened. ‘he consumption last year was enormous everywhere, but the 
general feeling is that there will be a great falling off this year. Western New York, th 
cradle of the evaporating industry, continues to lead the world, not only in the quality but 
in the quantity of its productions of evaporated apples and of raspberries. Delaware, 
North Carolina and Georgia are the leading producers of dried peaches, Virginia of 
cherries. Blackberries come from North Carolina, and apricots from California. “ 
At the opening of the season this year there was a new disturbing element. It was 
reported that Germany had refused American evaporated apples cured on galvanized wire 
trays, and that buyers would pay one cent per pound more to those who used wood. As a 
consequence many producers put light ribs of wood over the wire, and the trade in 
wire cloth was completely paralyzed. But the price of apples was constantly advancing ; 
buyers were excited and driving about the country night and day, buying everywhere and 
everything that they could find. It was soon rumored that those who had said the most 
were putting all into one pile, whether dried on wood or wire. It was found to make it 
much more expensive to dry on the wood. All of this caused a general feeling of distrust, 
and many took the wood off; very few are using it now, and I fail to find that any of 
the buyers are doing as they promised about paying more. The general feeling seems 
to be that it was alla hoax onaruling by the German government against American — 
food products in general. But in making a thorough investigation, I tind that the 
complaint is well founded in certain cases at least. I will quote from those who seem 
to know. 
Mr. P. A. Pincoffs, a member of the firm of Manran, Pincofis & Co., Chicago, 
returned from Europe a few days ago. He spent some time in Germany, and was there 
when the question involving the healthfulness of American evaporated apples was raised 
in Hamburg, and says: 
The action of the German authorities in this question is not due to jealousy or emnity shown by the 
German government in regard to food products from America. The measure against evaporated apples, in 
the first place, is not a govermental one; but is taken by the Hamburg local authorities, who certainly 
would and could have no possible object in discriminating against American evaporated apples for the 
protection of a home industry that does not exist. The facts in the case are simply these: A few months 4 
ago a case of sickness occurred in Hamburg, which was ascribed to the use of evaporated apples. The 
board of health, whose duty it is to examine all articles of food, thereupon took the matter in hand and — 
examined over fifty tons of evaporated apples in the possession of various retailers. The result was that, 
on careful chemical analysis, a certain amount of zinc oxide was found in almost every lot. In most the 
percentage was very small, 0.004 per cent. and even 0.002 per cent., but in some it amounted to 0.43 per — 
cent. The decision was then promulgated by the city government that all evaporated apples found to ~ 
contain zine or zine oxide would be liable to confiscation, and the dealers handling them subject to peniten- 
tiary imprisonment, for selling articles harmful to the health of consumers. This measure might be con- 
sidered an exaggerated one, as the percentage of zine oxide in 90 lots out of 100 is infinitesimally small and 
cannot harm anybody ; but the fact that some zinc oxide has been found in almost all lots examined stands 
nncontroverted, and is beyond any doubt—there a foundation exists for the action taken; it was not a 
feeling against American products, but primarily a feeling of paternal and somewhat exaggerated anxiety — 
for the stomach of German consumers. 
A similar case occurred in Amsterdam four or five years ago, since whi¢h time the 
use of evaporated apples in Holland has been falling off. Mr, E. Myers, a member of the - 
tirm of Myers & Co, produce exchange, New York city, writes me : 
The use of galvanized wire trays has unquestionably, in instances, left traces of zinc poison in apples, 
and may easily do so; but we do not think sufficiently so to affect the consumer’s health, unless, perhaps, — 
