52 



TWENTY-NINTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



will develop into regular distributing points. The largest quantity of 

 any one variety of fruit handled outside this organization was grapes, 

 and as the several outside shippers of this variety of fruit generally 

 shipped only to one or two cities, at times there was a relatively greater 

 amount of this fruit in some markets than there should have been. 

 Otherwise there has been a comparative evenness in sales throughout 

 the season in all markets. The following is a statement of shipments 

 for the season beginning May 9th and ending November 21st, in actual 

 cars shipped and not based on tonnage: 



Cherries 211 cars 



Apricots 231 " 



Peaches 1,867 " 



Plums and Prunes 1,145 " 



Pears 1,719 " 



Apples 670 " 



Figs, Quinces, Nectarines, etc. 23 " 



Grapes 1,802 " 



Total 7,668 " 



Cherries. — The crop of cherries was lighter than that of last year, but 

 was of good quality and ripened gradually, which made it possible to 

 ship and distribute same in the best possible shape. Sales were very 

 remunerative. 



Apricots. — More apricots were shipped than last year, and as the crop 

 in the early shipping districts was heavy, the quality was not as good 

 as usual. The prices, on the whole, were satisfactory. 



Peaches. — There was an increase over the shipments of last year. 

 The earlier varieties were somewhat lighter, and other varieties about 

 normal. The best average net returns ever secured were had this year. 

 This was particularly true in regard to the later varieties, especially 

 Salways, which held up at good prices until the end of the season'. 



Plums and Prunes. — There were some 250 carloads less shipped this 

 year than last year, but during the height of the season daily ship- 

 ments exceeded those of any single day last season. It required the 

 utmost exertion and care to have the shipments properly distributed, to 

 the end that there would be no glut in any of the markets. Later 

 varieties of plums were very short. Prices were very satisfactory. 



Pears. — The total number of cars of pears shipped was slightly less 

 than last year, but the main shortage was in the fall and winter 

 varieties. 



Grapes. — The greatest increase in any one variety was in grapes, there 

 being 1,802 cars as against 1,033 cars last season, the largest previous 

 shipment of this product. Prices on the whole were even and remuner- 

 ative and netted satisfactory figures. This, in view of the fact that the 

 importation of Almeria grapes was greater than ever before known, is 

 particularly gratifying. 



