PROCEEDINGS OF NINETEENTH FRUIT GROWERS' CONVENTION. 45 



the growers or shippers of these pears unless the product can be laid 

 down and disposed of to the Eastern markets at very low prices, and 

 this, you know, cannot be done if the growers and shippers are obliged 

 to pay the present freight rate and the present refrigerator charges on 

 Bartlett pears." 



They further say: "We honestly believe that the expedited ventilator 

 service will be largely used next season, if we have a full crop of fruit 

 in this State, providing the transportation companies will give the time 

 promised, and we feel sure they will do so." 



A careful consideration of the subject seems to lead to two or three 

 simple conclusions: 



First Conclusion. — That the refrigerator system of shipping fresh fruit 

 has a field all its own, which may be encroached upon only at hazard- 

 ous risk to the grower and shipper — 



First — In the shipment of delicate fruits and those which have been 

 permitted, for the sake of size and color, to mature on the trees; 



Second — In the shipment of fruits, other than pears, to long-distance 

 markets; 



Third — In shipments which may require diversion, or a holding for 

 better market conditions; 



Fourth — In shipments to small markets, where fruit is held in car an 

 indefinite time, until sold — where the car is made a cold-storage warehouse; 



Fifth — In shipments made up of part-car lots, collected at different 

 points at this end. 



Second Conclusion. — That for shipments of ordinary fruits to Mon- 

 tana, Colorado, and other near points; and with fair fortune in the 

 matter of weather and delay, even to Chicago; and for shipments of 

 pears and other hardy fruits to all the markets, there is a wide field for 

 the expedited ventilator service — certainly enough to warrant a desire 

 on the part of the grower and shipper for its continuance. 



Then this generalization: That the refrigerator is expensive and safe, 

 although not required for short hauls and extra-hardy fruits; and that 

 the expedited ventilator is cheap, but risky on account of possible delays 

 and hot weather, except for short hauls and hardy fruits. 



FRUIT STATISTICS AND SHIPMENTS. 



Essay by B. N. Rowley, of San Francisco. 



Mr. President and Members of the Convention: Statistical compila- 

 tions are not generally sought after by the masses, but figures are useful 

 factors, and, when properly studied by those interested in results, 

 become entertaining as well as instructive. Fruit-growers and fruit- 

 shippers should study the figures that represent the growth and condi- 

 tion of the fruit industry in California. We will endeavor to cover the 

 ground as fully as possible in the brief time allowed by the rules of the 

 convention. We will first review our 



Fresh Deciduous Fruits. — The shipping season of 1895 was opened on 

 the 8th of May by the shipment of a car of cherries from Penryn and 

 one from Vacaville. Shipments by express were made on April 17th. 

 Auction sales commenced in Chicago by the sale of cherries on May 13th. 



