PROCEEDINGS OF TWENTY-SIXTH FRUIT-GROWERS' CONVENTION. 15 



the Watsonville section alone during the present season, showing an 

 increase of one hundred per cent over last year's shipments. 



Railway Service. — There was a marked improvement in the railway 

 service during the early part of the season over last year; but on the 

 whole it did not come up to expectations. Up to about the middle of 

 August fruit was delivered to Chicago in 7 days, to New York, Phila- 

 delphia, and Montreal in 10^ days, and to Boston in 11 days; but later 

 in the season it was about 9 days to Chicago, 12 to 13 days to New York, 

 Philadelphia, and Montreal, and 13 to 14 days to Boston. As near as 

 can be determined, the greater part of the delays was west of Chicago. 

 In the early part of the season the Southern Pacific Company landed 

 cars in Ogden from Sacramento within 60 hours — later it took 72 

 hours — while the Union Pacific also made 12 hours slower time at the 

 close than at the beginning of the season. 



The experience during the early part of the season made it plain that 

 the Western roads can deliver to Chicago in 6 days. When this is 

 done, New York, Philadelphia, Montreal, and Boston can be reached in 

 9 or 10 days. 



Refrigerator Car Service. — The refrigerator car service for the 

 season was eminently satisfactory. No shortage of cars occurred at any 

 time, and shipments received careful attention. 



Extension of Markets. — There is room for further development of 

 markets for California fresh fruits. This matter, however, rests largely 

 with the transportation companies. If they will deliver to Chicago in 

 6 days, and to Atlantic points in 9 or 10 days, it will insure the arrival 

 of fruit in a condition to permit of its re-shipment in less than carload 

 lots to minor points. With the time consumed during the latter end of 

 this season, it became extra hazardous to re-ship to minor points. The 

 fruit must, therefore, be consumed at the point of arrival, thus limiting 

 the possibilities for developing newer and smaller markets. This fact 

 should be brought to the attention of the railroad authorities, in the 

 hope that they will make every effort to give the service needed to secure 

 the broadest results for the sale of California fresh fruits. 



Packing. — While there is room for still further improvement in this 

 direction, it is gratifying to note that there has been less complaint this 

 season of poor packing than ever before. More attention than ever is 

 being paid to this matter, and growers are fast learning that it pays, 

 and pays well, to give the Eastern buyer honest, careful, and sightly 

 packing. It is hoped that the growers of California will strive to win 

 the reputation of being the finest packers of fresh fruits in the world. 

 Such a reputation in itself will add to the value of California fruits. 

 Buyers will have less hesitancy in buying from samples and more con- 

 fidence in getting what they have a right to expect. 



