76 



OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



The reception given my own introductions of the past leaves no great 

 fear of the future in that respect. 



It would take too much time even briefly to describe the berries, 

 quinces, and other fruit and nut trees which originated and have been 

 sent out from my grounds since 1890. 



OPUNTIA FIOUS-INDICA. 



Prof. E. E. Smith, of Palo Alto, exhibited specimens of the plant and 

 fruit of the cactus Opuntia ficus-indica, and explained its economic 

 importance. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION. 



Judge Lewis, chairman of the committee on the publication of Mr. 

 Kearney's address, reported for the committee, recommending the print- 

 ing of 20,000 copies of said address in pamphlet form. 



The report of the committee was adopted, and sufficient funds sub- 

 scribed to defray the expense of printing, etc. 



THE ASSOCIATE CALIFORNIA FRUIT EXPORTERS. 



Report of the Committee on Legislation, Etc. 



B. N. Rowley, of San Francisco, chairman of the Committee on Legis- 

 lation, Inspection, and Quarantine Laws of the "Associate California 

 Fruit Exporters," submitted the following: 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Convention: 



At the request of your Committee on Program, I herewith present a brief report of 

 the labors of the Committee on Legislation, Inspection, and Quarantine Laws of the 

 "Associate California Fruit Exporters." 



This association was formed for the purpose of investigating and overcoming, if possi- 

 ble, some of the difficulties met with both at home and abroad by the exporters of Cali- 

 'fornia cured fruits. As you all know, California cured fruits have now become quite 

 popular in England and Continental Europe. The first direct shipments of any con- 

 sequence went forward in 1894, consisting chiefly of apricots. The excellent quality of 

 the fruit shipped attracted very general attention, and the demand from Europe wid- 

 ened, and prunes, pears, and peaches were largely added to the list which went forward 

 in 1895. In 1896 the demand showed a material increase, and heavy direct shipments 

 were made. In 1897 upward of 1,000 carloads went forward. In 1898 the short fruit crop 

 in California, combined with the close inspection by German officers, curtailed the export 

 movement in all lines except prunes, the latter being exempt from the attention of 

 inspectors. 



During the six months commencing June 1 and ending December 31, 1898, export 

 shipments from the Santa Clara Valley alone aggregated 8,580,000 pounds, or 429 ten- 

 ton cars, of which about 7,000,000 pounds were prunes. This fruit went forward in car. 

 lots on through bills of lading, and was distributed in England, Germany, France, Bel- 

 gium, Holland, Scotland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. 



