THE DRIED-FRUIT TRADE. 589 
In 1876 the crop of green apples in the districts before mentioned was 
very large, and the supply of dried fruit in consequence correspondingly 
large. In that year the estimated quantity of dried apples handled and 
sold in Butfalo was from 5,000,000 to 6,000,000 pounds. In 1877 the crop 
of apples was moderate, and “only about half the quantity named for 
1876 of the dried fruit was sold, for the reason that dealers both in the 
United States and on the continent of Kurope were overstocked. Large 
supplies of the crop of 1876 remained on hand at the close of that 
ear. 
Each dealer has a particular brand by which he sells and the quality 
_ of his fruit is known, such as the standard best brand of “Circle Wa 7 
‘Excelsior A,” and “Jupiter A,” which have the reputation of being 
first class, and pass among the trade without reinspection. 
The grades of dried apples are as follows: First quality consists of 
sliced fruit; second quality, cored quarters; and third quality, of uncored 
quarters and darkish fruit. A strong effort is being made by the dealers 
to do away entirely with the uncored fruit. 
The range of prices during 1877 was as follows: 
‘ Cents per pound. 
Selling, sliced fruit... 2-4 -----~ apmewe core n= ben ann enn ence aceene 5 to 74 
Selling, cored et is pik ANG Fi GHEMHATE Fh CI 5 to 74 
Selling, MECOLOU, QUALLORRS 25 at Cosa apaaette ta wa semwo ce oases Sele eile claaie aa cage 
A fair trade is transacted’ with the Dominion of Gage: principally 
of the choice brands for the fancy domestic trade. The lumber districts 
take small parcels of inferior graded fruit. 
During the year 1877 evaporated apples, prepared in some interior 
towns, were placed to a limited extent on the market. These apples 
were prepared principally by what is known as the “‘ Alden process,” 
whereby the flavor, richness, and fresh qualities of the fruit are pre- 
served. Slices of apple, after passing through the evaporation process 
not thicker than a knife-blade, become, when placed ‘for a short time in 
water, as thick as a finger. Occasionally pears, quinces, peaches, and 
other fruits prepared by the above method find their way to the fancy 
grocery stores, but no large sales are effected, the dealers merely pur- 
chasing for the immediate ‘requirements of the retail trade for consump- 
tion. 
The domestic or home-dried small-fruit trade does not grow in the 
ratio that it was expected to a few years since, taking into consideration 
the increasing population of this and other neighboring places, for the 
reason that the system of canning fresh fruits is vearried | on very largely 
and with much care; the qualities of the berries by this method are pre- 
served with great perfection, and the fruit is supplied at so small a cost 
that housekeepers prefer the canned article. 
The selling year of dried small fruits commences about the 1st of Sep- 
tember and ends with the incoming of the new fresh fruit crop of the 
following season; business fluctuating, of course, like all other trades, 
from various causes. 
The quantity of the crop of 1877 may be briefly summed up thus: 
Blackberries not large; black raspberries moderate; cherries. and peaches 
large; the quality of the fruit good. 
The estimated receipts of small dried fruits during the year 1877 were 
as follows: 300 barrels of blackberries; 150 barrels of black raspberries; 
100 barrels of pitted cherries; and 300 barrels of pared peaches. Peaches 
are never brought to this market unpared. <A barrel of blackberries or 
raspberries contains about 175 pounds of fruit, and cherries and peaches 
200 pounds. 
