Overland Shipment. 53 
gan to improve, as they did soon alterward. The rapid devel- 
opment of the mining interest in Nevada, and the construction 
of roads across the Sierras, opened the way for the disposition 
of much fruit grown in the foot-hills and in the region around 
Sacramento. 
The imports of dried and canned fruits were large, and 
growers were exhorted to take steps to secure this trade for 
themselves. Something was done in this direction, for by 1867 
the local product of canned fruit was equal to the demand. Dry- 
ing did not advance so fast; for two years later there were im- 
ports of six thousand barrels of dried apples, while the hundreds 
of thousands of bushels of the fruit were rotting under the trees 
in our orchards. 
The decade under review was also notable for the first 
appearance of cured raisins and prunes at the State fair of 1863. 
The raisins were from the Muscat of Alexandria grape, and the 
report states that so-called raisins exhibited previous to that 
time were merely dried grapes. Dr. J. Strentzel, of Martinez, 
was the first exhibitor of Muscat raisins, and he exhibited also 
dried grapes of four varieties to show the contrast between a 
raisin and a dried grape. J. R. Nickerson, of Placer County, 
exhibited the dried prunes, which were of the German variety. 
Though this decade was one of uncertainty and doubt, there 
were rich lessons of experience learned, and the foundations for 
coming greatness were well laid. Many of our leading lines oi 
production trace their beginnings to this period, and their later 
developments have been beyond any anticipations then cher- 
ished. 
The New Era.—Another era in California may be marked as 
beginning with the year 1869, because then the first fresh fruits 
were sent East over the newly-opened overland line. This 
period of our growth is too recent to warrant prolonged discus- 
sion. The incidents, many of which are not pleasant to recall, 
are within the memory of many. The first season’s shipments 
amounted to thirty-three tons of pears, apples, grapes, and 
plums; in 1870 seventy car-loads, or about seven hundred tons, 
were sent. 
The Eastern shipment of fresh fruits began its new era with 
the year 1886, when the first full train load of fifteen cars of fresh 
fruit from deciduous trees went overland. Shipping train loads 
of oranges from southern California began at an earlier date. 
During the present decade shipments of fruit and fruit prod- 
ucts have increased until a very large aggregate in weight 
and value has been attained. The volume of shipments beyond 
State lines is shown by the following statement, compiled from 
the records of the State Board of Trade. 
