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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



This list shows at once the great variety of fruits produced 

 in the Santa Clara County, as well as the lengthy season during 

 which they may be gathered fresh from tree and vine. They are 

 all grown out of doors. Vegetables of most varieties are in the 

 market all the year round. 



Cost of Drying. 



Far away back in the horticultural history of the county it 

 became evident that the financial success of the fruit-grower 

 depended as much upon his ability to market his produce, as it 

 did upon the selection of the varieties and of the locality in which 

 they should be grown. 



Fruit growers for years produced fruit and entrusted the sale 

 of it to commission men, who were interested in securing their 

 commission, rather than in widening the market or intelligently 

 supplying its demands. As a result, the markets in some cities 

 were often over-supplied, while perhaps those of larger cities 

 were not supplied at all. In the case of fresh fruits, which were 

 perishable, this often resulted in forced sales and a demoralisa- 

 tion of prices, while at the same time the same fruit would have 

 been gladly received in other cities, where good prices could have 

 been obtained. 



Our fruit growers from time to time held meetings to discuss 

 the situation and suggest remedies, and as a result of these 

 meetings in 1891 the West Side Fruit Growers' Association was 

 formed. Among the objects to be attained was the securing of 

 more economical methods of fruit drying and more careful 

 methods in the marketing of the product. Both were accom- 

 plished. This success led to the establishment in June 1892 of 

 the Campbell Fruit Growers' Union. 



The projectors made scientific experiments which resulted in 

 the discovery of methods by which fruit could be more economi- 

 cally dried. A more uniform grading was also insured, with a 

 corresponding increase in the price of the product. The expense 

 of curing, packing, and marketing was also materially reduced. 



The cost for drying a ton of fresh fruit, including all expenses 

 from the time the fruit reaches the drier until it is put into the 

 bins ready for sale, such as the cost of sulphur, lye, fuel, handling 

 and grading, and the general expenses of operating the plant, 

 such as the salary of the secretary, superintendent, book-keeper. 



