TWENTY-XIXTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



55 



The distribution of fruit to the auction markets is made with the 

 utmost care, and long experience in the business is called upon to direct 

 what fruit should be sent to the different markets and to apportion to 

 each market the relatively proper amount of fruit to keep them all on 

 a comparative equality, after taking into consideration the difference 

 in the cost of transportation and refrigeration charges to the different 

 points. Were California the only fruit-shipping State the problem of 

 distribution would be much easier, but there are other large fruit- 

 shipping districts, especially in the South, and their fruit comes into 

 competition with California products. While this competition may at 

 times interfere seriously with the California fruit, it at the same time 

 shows the absolute necessity of co-operation on the part of those engaged 

 in the industry in California, if the best results are to be obtained. 



The saving in expense of telegraphing, mail, etc., much more than 

 pays the total expense of the organization. The first season an endeavor 

 was made to direct a part of the distribution from the Chicago office, 

 but it did not work satisfactorily. This year all of the distribution 

 was directed from the Sacramento office, and the efficacy and wisdom 

 of the action are so manifest and proper that I apprehend no one will 

 again question the expediency or agree to any other action in the future. 



The most serious problem to be solved now is the one of transporta- 

 tion. Little more can be done toward systemizing the selling and dis- 

 tribution or increasing the volume of shipments or taking the very best 

 care of those already shipped until this important matter is worked 

 out satisfactorily. We must have a regular as well as an expedited 

 service, to the end that we can know positively, barring accidents, just 

 where a car of fruit will be at any given time. About sixty per cent 

 of the shipments are distributed through the auction markets. No 

 fruit is sold in these markets on Saturday or Sunday. Shipments are 

 made from California on every day, including Saturday and Sunday. 

 Suppose, for instance, that a certain number of cars were sent to 

 Chicago to arrive on Friday in time for the last auction sale of the 

 week, and the fruit arrived too late to be put on sale. It must remain 

 on the track until Monday, with constant deterioration as regards 

 quality and consequently value, and on Monday other fruit would also 

 be due, making an undue and relatively improper offering. The allot- 

 ments having all been comparatively made, if the cars that did not 

 arrive there on Friday for sale should be diverted to other markets, it 

 would throw the other markets out of balance and the whole scheme of 

 distribution would be upset. Thus everything depends upon transpor- 

 tation, for on perishable products it is a well-known and undeniable 

 fact that a day lost is never regained, to say nothing of deterioration 

 and consequent loss on shipments when too long en route. 



The most strenuous efforts will be put forth by the California Fruit 

 Distributors to obtain such a service, and until such a service is had it 



