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OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



the products of our orchards and gardens are the peers of the world; 

 that nowhere are there produced better peaches, prunes, apricots, or 

 raisins. The trade is keenly alive to this fact, recognizes it, and is ready 

 to profit by it; in short, to send us its money if we will only encourage 

 it along correct lines. 



Our prunes, apricots, peaches, pears, apples, and raisins are now to be 

 found on sale in almost every grocery and delicatessen shop of Central 

 Europe; the masses being thus enabled to purchase at reasonable figures, 

 which in former years were prohibitory. Green fruits of all kinds during 

 the long winter months are expensive, hence the poorer people cannot 

 afford to J^uy them. Now, however, they can purchase California dried 

 fruits in lieu of the expensive green article, which as a rule is utterly 

 tasteless. When properly prepared our fruits have been found delicious, 

 with an unsurpassed flavor, and with the added advantage that they are 

 cheaper, go farther, and that a supply can be laid in early in the season 

 without fear of decay or deterioration. Now, while we have succeeded in 

 introducing our dried fruits, thereby enlarging the outlet and conse- 

 quently tending to an increase of our tree acreage, enhancing thereby the 

 value of our lands and taxing capacity of our commonwealth, we must 

 try not only to hold on to the territory we supply, but ought to increase 

 our exports annually. This, however, cannot be done with the methods 

 employed. 



This is certainly a great advantage, and if honestly followed up 

 must lead to permanent results far-reaching in their consequences, 

 meaning not only prosperity in the exportation of our orchard products, 

 but an augmented prosperity at home, as it naturally leads to an 

 increase of land values, of acreage under cultivation, and of healthier 

 conditions all along the line. 



We must sell first-class, medium, and inferior fruits for what they 

 are and at graduated prices in accordance with quality. The label on 

 a box must never belie its contents. Foreign purchasers must know 

 that they will get just what they buy and nothing else. We are grading 

 our prunes and denominate same by sizes, each size being offered at a 

 different figure; or, in other words, the price is made on a basis of a 

 certain size, with a stated increase in price for the larger fruit. The 

 prune business has, under this mode, proved satisfactory and hardly 

 any complaints have been received. Why not do likewise with apri- 

 cots, pears, peaches, and other dried fruits? Why not grade all 

 according to the size, color, and quality of the fruit, and brand the boxes 

 "Fancy," "Extra," "Choice," "Standard," and "Common," each of 

 these brands representing what the denomination on the box implies? 

 Why not have the authorities appoint sworn inspectors, whose duty 

 would be to inspect all dried fruits before boxing, and brand the boxes 

 according to grade and quality? A law ought to be passed prohibiting 



