46 



PROCEEDINGS OF NINETEENTH FRUIT GROWERS' CONVENTION. 



In April the refrigerator car companies commenced to revise their 

 rates, and early in May announced their tariff, showing material reduc- 

 tions from the rates of 1894. The reductions ranged from $35 to $50 

 per car. As you are all familiar with the charges for refrigeration on 

 fresh fruit, we will not occupy your time with them. 



From the reports we are receiving from fruit-growers in all parts of 

 the State, we are led to believe that a very general opinion prevails 

 that refrigeration charges are still too high. We have not given the 

 subject of refrigeration of fruit in transit as much consideration as its 

 importance deserves, but in general conversation with the managers of 

 the refrigerator car companies, we have been informed that the season 

 of 1895 has not proven a profitable one; hence, we doubt if the season 

 of 1896 will bring with it any reduction in refrigeration charges. It is 

 very generally conceded by fruit-shippers that the railway companies 

 and refrigerator car companies rendered superior service during the 

 season of 1895. In the matter of time in transit there is room for 

 further improvement. 



Fruit-growers are looking for a lower freight rate, but from what we 

 have been able to learn there is no prospect of an immediate reduction 

 in overland rates on fresh fruits. The present rate of $300 a car of 

 24,000 pounds to Chicago, distance and character of service considered, 

 is regarded by railroad men the most reasonable rate enjoyed by any 

 class of fruit producers. California producers are unfortunate in being 

 so remotely situated from the large consuming centers. The material 

 reductions made in local freights in May have been of considerable 

 assistance to fruit-shippers. 



In the matter of distributing our fruits, we find by reference to the 

 daily reports of the California Fruit Growers and Shippers' Association 

 that, since June 1st, car lots were forwarded to twenty-four cities, as 

 follows : 



Distribution of Shipments. 



Cars. 



Chicago 1,473 



New York 862 



Boston 279 



Omaha 176 



Denver 148 



Minneapolis 124 



St. Paul.. 109 



Kansas City 91 



Philadelphia... 82 



St. Louis 78 



New Orleans 75 



Montreal 44 



Milwaukee... 42 



Baltimore 37' 



Cleveland ._ 29 



Pittsburg 26 



Cars. 



Cincinnati 15 



Buffalo _ _ 15 



Sioux City ... 4 



Indianapolis _ 3 



Helena 2 



Butte 1 



St. Joseph 1 



Burlington 1 



Points not named 564 



London, England 42 



Total cars 4,323 



Shipped in May. 112 



Total 4,435 



Shipments by months were as follows: 



May 112 cars (to unknown points). 



June 447 cars. 



July 1,117 cars. 



August 1,290 cars. 



September 1,025 cars. 



October 444 cars. 



4,435 cars. 



