FRUIT GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 
13 
The varieties that are the most satisfactory for this purpose here 
are the Verdel, Muscat, and Cornichon, and, as a rule, those ex¬ 
hibiting the best keeping qualities come from that portion of the 
county known as the Santa Cruz mountain district. Some of 
the Cornichons grown in the valley keep well enough for Eastern 
shipment, and all of the best varieties of table grapes may be 
profitably grown for the San Francisco market. As a rule, the 
fruits that may be most profitably shipped East, green, are 
cherries, grapes, plums, and pears. The profits realised, of 
course, depend upon the quality of the fruit, the condition of 
the market, and the care exercised in properly supplying the 
demand. If the grower deals with some well-known agent, he 
gets all that the fruit will bring in the Eastern market, after the 
freight is paid, less 7 or 8 per cent, commission. Freight rates 
on green fruit from San Jose to Eastern cities are usually quoted 
per car load. With a view of securing greater detail the rate 
here is given per box. Cherries are always shipped in 10-lb. 
boxes; pears in 40-lb. boxes; and plums, peaches, and grapes 
in 20-lb. boxes. From San Jose to Kansas City or Omaha the 
freight charges are : for cherries, per 10-lb. box, 9 \d .; pears, per 
40-lb. box, 3s. 6^<7.; plums and grapes, per 20-lb. box, Is. 8|<7.; 
peaches, per 20-lb. box, Is. 4 \d. From San Jose to Chicago, 
St. Paul, or Minneapolis: Cherries, per box, 9^<7.; pears, per 
box, 3s. 6(7.; plums and grapes, per box, Is, 9<7.; peaches, per 
box, Is. 4^(7. From San Jose to St. Louis: Cherries, 9J<7.; 
pears, 3s. Id.] plums and grapes, Is. 9^(7.; peaches, Is. 6J<7. 
From San Jose to New York or Philadelphia: Cherries, Is.; 
pears, 4s. 3^<7.; plums and grapes, 2s. 2^<7.; peaches, Is. 9<7. 
At present the most successful and satisfactory method of 
shipping green fruit to great distances is in refrigerators. The 
price of freight will not be higher, and will probably be lower 
within the next few years. The freight to San Francisco is 
low. It sometimes pays better, however, to ship East. 
Months, Seasons, and What They Bring. 
In most countries the year is divided into four seasons, the 
lines between which are so definitely defined, that not only may 
spring, summer, autumn, and winter be distinguished, but may 
be outlined by months in the almanack. In California the 
