THE FRUIT EXCHANGES. 



stone " broker in the principal cities of the east and 

 west was receiving Florida oranges on consignment, 

 and, in many instances, the consignors never heard of 

 their shipments after they left their shipping station. 

 To-day only responsible dealers are receiving fruit on 

 consignment, while the bulk of the crop is being sold in 

 the groves. This, in a great measure, is one of the re- 

 sults we sought to bring about when the exchange was 

 organized. We felt satisfied that to bring the sale of 

 fruit down to the state would very materially benefit 

 the producers. Each season, now marks an increased 

 purchase of fruit at the groves. 



The following copy of a semi-weekly market report 

 will be useful as indicating the work of the exchange. 

 It was issued January 15, i8gi : 



' Sales since 12th inst., show following averages : 

 $2.45, $2.ig, $2.51, $2.30, $2.24, $2.25, $2.60. We can- 

 not say that the situation has improved, nor do we think 

 it has grown worse since last bulletin was issued. While 

 the averages mentioned above are not very good, still 

 when the immense shipments of large fruit are consid- 



ered, we feel that there is very little ground for com- 

 plaint over average prices obtained. Notwithstanding 

 past advice to decrease shipments, the volume of fruit 

 goiug forward has steadily increased for past ten days, 

 hence most markets to-day are feeling the pressure of 

 excessive receipts, and show no inclination toward 

 immediate improvements. The weather still contin- 

 ues cold, and this has its effect on the movement of 

 fruit. 



" The top figures for strictly fancy fruit of desirable 

 counts can be quoted at $3.25. Fair to medium grades 

 are selling at $2.25 to $2.75. Large^sizes go fifty to 

 seventy-five cents per box lower, according to condition 

 and quality. The calls for mandarins have almost 

 ceased, and tangierines are in very light demand. The 

 recent cold snaps have no doubt forced shipments much 

 against the desires of many growers ; and this, of course, 

 accounts for the continual rush of fruit. So far as we 

 have been able to learn the damage done to fruit by re- 

 cent frosts is so slight as to be not worthy of notice." — 

 Correspondence 7oi(h M. P. Turner, Secretary. 



Fig. 7. (See page 140). 



