16 



course has been pursued, we believe, by many Eastern factories operating under the Alden 

 process, with satisfactory results, and we think the plan could be carried out here with 

 profit. While we as yet carry a full line of apples and pears, we have been compelled, in 

 order to supply our Iccal demand, to order certain kinds of Alden goods from the Eastern 

 markets, though we can see no good reason why this state of affairs should exist ; and we 

 trust that during the coming season the remedy will be applied, and California will not be 

 obliged to depend upon the East for certain descriptions of Alden goods, which can be 

 produced here in such abundance, and for which a good market has been found at prices 

 which certainly should leave a fair margin for the factory. 



We have continued to devote our best care to the Alden interests, and have left nothing 

 undone to introduce and make known the goods at all new points where there was likeli- 

 hood of sale. At the same time, however, we notice that some factories are disposed to 

 "chop" around and create competitive agenciesjfor the sale of the goods, which policy is, in 

 our opinion, if long pursued, calculated to prove prejudicial to the Alden interests of the 

 entire coast. As we have before intimated, to secure harmony and a uniform price in the 

 disposal of the Alden goods, from different factories (the goods being of equal quality), 

 shipments should be made to one general sole agency, whereby all competition would be 

 prevented, and the best interests of all concerned subserved by such action. 



With our best wishes for your continued success, believe us, dear sir, yours truly, 



LITTLEFIELD, WEBB & CO. 



GOLD MEDAL. 



Report of the Committee of the Caijfornia State Agricultural Society, 1874. 



" Your committee beg to report, that in examining the dried fruits on exhibition, they 

 were highly pleased with the excellent quality and great commercial value of the fruits and 

 vegetables entered by Geo. W. Deitzler, President of the Alden Fruit Co., of California. 



These articles are not dried in the common acceptation of the term, but are preserved in 

 their own juices by this peculiar process, and it is claimed will keep for years in any cli- 

 mate. The flavor of the fresh fruit is retained and it is free from that dark and leathery 

 appearance which is always found in the sun or kiln-dried fruits. 



The Committee have no hesitation in expressing the opinion that as regards appearance 

 and flavor, the articles are the best on exhibition. The value of such fruits and vegetables 

 is very great. 



California can produce in unlimited quantities the finest fruits and vejretables in the world, 

 but we have not the resident population to consume these immense productions in their 

 fresh state, and they will not bear transportation to distant markets ; neither can we hope 

 to find a remunerative market for inferior dried fruits and vegetables at home or abroad ; 

 but for such preserved articles as those under consideration, there is, it seems, no danger of 

 overstocking the market. 



When we consid<;r that there are imported annually over'FiFTEEN million dollars' worth 

 of dried fruits, ail of which articles can be raised in California and placed upon the markets 

 in a cured condition infinitely superior to the imported articles, the importance of this indus- 

 try can be appreciated. 



In view of these considerations we deem the articles on exhibition by the Alden Company 

 as worthy of special notice, and we respectfully recommend that the Board of Directors 

 award to the Company tlie Gold Medal, and give to their valuable and growing intlustry 

 every possible encouragement." 



W. C. HOPPING, 

 ALFRED BRIGGS, 

 W. R. STRONG. 



We are gratified to be able to state that the Society awarded to us both the 

 Silver and Gold Medals, atid we propose lo keep them, having no fear of competi- 

 tion. 



