35 



ttter opportunities tor disposing ot the same might present 



arket, they were doomed to disappointment, for eastern 

 avers soon discovered that an enormous quantity of Cali- 

 rnia dried fruit was in transit, through the offerings by the 

 .lmerous brokers. There being no particular demand for 

 •ied fruits at that time, they allowed these consignments to 

 2 placed in the warehouses, and later on purchased the same 

 much lower prices than the fruits were offered at upon 



• The low prices which growers and shippers were obliged 

 ^accept had the effect of increasing the demand, and the 



val of i 



1892. During 1891 our dried fruits were introduced into very 

 many new markets, and several large and promising outlets 

 were secured through the medium of the low prices. There 

 can be no doubt as to the difference of an immediate profit 

 to the grower between a year of short crop and high prices, 

 and a year with a full crop and low prices, but the gain is 



" Calif orniaPdried fruit has earned a world-wide reputation 

 for its superior quality, cleanliness and the attractive condi- 

 tion in which it is packed. Very few persons, except those 

 closely connected with the dried fruit business, have any idea 

 as to the enormous proportions to which fruit drying in Cali- 

 fornia has been developed. In 1884 the total output was 

 3nly about 5,300,000 pounds, and in 1891 the output was 

 estimated at 63,710,000 pounds, valued at $3,925,000." 



The vegetable crops have been good, as a rule. Potatoes 

 are an exception, however. They were a very short crop. 

 Much of the failure was due to blight. The November re- 

 port of the statistician of the Department of Agriculture t 

 sums up the potato crop of the year as follows : 



"The vear was distinctly unfavorable almost from the 

 :ime of planting, and the return of yield reflects the unfavor- 

 able conditions which have prevailed. The average yield 

 n>er acre by the present return is 62 bushels, against 93.9 last 



