V SOUTHERN •^ ^ND v EQe , SHIPPERS' Guide and Manual WHAT TO GROW FOR NORTHERN MARKETS, HOW TO PACK, SHIP, ETC., ETC. P. M. 'KIELY, ST. LOUIS, MO. MAECH, 1683. Copyrighted by P. M. Kiely, 18 k£ ESTABLISHED X3ST ISSS. P. M. KIELY & CO Commission /T^ef^ghants, Nd, B14 North Third Street, ST. LOUIS, MO. & Fruits in their Season a Specialty. I 9 a Special Attention given to Early Fruits and Vege- tables from the South. We offer to Shippers 20 Years' Experience, Promptness and the Best Location in the City. We also Receive and Sell, during the Winter and Spring, Poultry, Game, Eggs, Butter, Hides, Furs, Wool, Feathers, etc., etc. Stencil Plates, Price Currents, Etc., Free on Application. 2/g) gvfi , SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES —FOR— Northern Markets What to grow ; how to ship and pack ; the best varieties; the prices prevailing in St. Louis throughout the year, And a variety of information of interest to Southern growers and shippers. ==■ ■ By P. M. KIELY, Mafcn,i8ee. ST( LDUIS, MD This Pamphlet is free to all applicants who inclose three cents in stamps to prepay postage. ^\ / { MAr. 27 1888 -Tt _ ^ , ^^ O Our Patrons and the Public : ; From every Section of the South we are constantly receiving letters in relation to the snip- ing of fruits and vegetables to this and other mar- kets, the most profitable hinds to grow, how to pack and ship, the kind of packages required, the prices prevailing throughout the year for the various articles, and the great fund of information in con- nection with the trade, so important to everybody embaj-king in the business. As new parties are steadily going into business, we are besieged each season with the same questions. To supply this information, in a concise and convenient form, we have published this pamphlet, believing it covers most of the questions usually asked. We gather the information given from twenty years' experience in the business in this city, and we trust it will be of service to the many who will receive it. s^ P. M. KIELY & CO. ;k Xs 3 Spring, 1888. %UST two years ago we published a pamphlet similar to the $ present work— printing an edition of 6,000 copies, and figured on that supplying the demand for three years. Upwards of 3,000 copies went out at once to our patrons and the various parties throughout the South and West seeking it. We reserved the remainder for new applicants, but the calls became so frequent, that we found the supply almost exhausted towards the 1st of February, 1888. After that time the demand became greater, until we finally concluded to publish the present volume, which we trust is an improvement on the old one. The many new parties going into the business throughout the South, coupled with the warm indorsements of the work by the newspapers and agri«ultural journals, has created a demand for it far beyond our expectations. The calls for it came from Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, and not a few from points further North and East, and from parties who wanted to embark in the business further South. 4 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES RETROSPECTIVE. In connection with our subject, a few words concerning the growth and history of the trade in this city will not be out of place here. When the writer embarked in the business in this city, in the fall of 1866, there was but one fruit commission house in St. Louis, and, indeed, one house was all that was then neces- sary to take care of what was consigned here. All the Southern States, including Arkansas and Tennessee, were then unknown as shippers of fruits or vegetables. Southern Illinois was then the remotest point as a field for such supplies known to the city, and the fruit season was so short as to be of little value or interest. Since then a dozen or more of houses have sprung up, many of whom we believe claim now to be the oldest and most experienced in the city. • Each year new railroads opened up new fields and new terri- tories, from which supplies began to come liberally, notably Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, with shipments from more Southern points later. Each year the season length- ened, until the present time, when we have an unbroken selling season of nine months, beginning in March with strawberries, and ending about the 1st of December with grapes. The very extensive vegetable supply lengthens the season— in fact, keeps coming here throughout the year. An increase of commission houses, to take care of this constantly growing trade was, of course, a natural result, and tended to develop and encourage the production. FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 5 THE FUTURE OUTLOOK. That there is a growing appreciation of fruit as an article of food, and very justly so, cannot be denied. The more fruit we consume the healthier we become as a people, and the le^s doc- tor bills we will have to pay. The fruit grower, in addition to being a public benefactor, finds some consolation in the fact that his calling, properly and intelligently pursued, is highly remuner- ative, paying much better in fact than numerous undertakings, claiming more public attention, in which considerable capital must be invested before anything can be realized. It is not as uncertain or full of the elements of risks as many other enterprises are, and, therefore, is a more inviting field for men of limited means. The most encouraging feature in connection with the grow- ing of fruits and vegetables is the rapid progress made towards utilizing the surplus. The past year or two introduced so many new canning establishments and evaporators and fruit dryers, and into so many districts where they were comparatively unknown, that a new hope has been inspired and a fresh impetus given to the business. Indeed the question of what shall we do with our surplus, need no longer fill the heart of the grower with dismay. The demand is becoming more general, not only for the fresh supply, but also for the canned goods— both fruits and vegetables, and the industry of growing and shipping has grown to such dimensions that a great variety of fruits and veg- etables have become within the reach of all. SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES LOCA TION— SHIPPING. You should aim to get as near the depot or shipping point as possible. Long hauls, especially over rough roads— unpleasant features that many shippers cannot avoid— inflict on the fruit frequently very serious injury, especially if the art of packing for such emergencies is not thoroughly understood. You are too often in a hurry and your fruit is shook up, and you haven't time to examine it at the depot. Later, when the returns come in, if they do not compare favorably with your neighbor's, who placed his fruit in splendid order on the train before starting, the commission man " catches it," unless you devote a little time to reflection over the matter. If the receiver writes and explains, it may refresh your memory and make his offence less grevious, but if he does not do so, he will in most cases lose a customer. You will not, of course, attempt to carry strawberries or other tender fruits and vegetables to town or depot in a wagon with- out springs, and your goods must be protected from the hot sun, the dust of the roads, and the rain, by a waterproof covering that will afford ample protection. Sufficient time must be had when loading up, to handle carefully, both at home and when the depot is reached. With these precautions properly observed, the prospects are that your fruits, etc., will reach the consignee in good order. FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. FREQUENT HANDLING FRUIT IS EXPOSED TO. The average shipper has no idea how often his fruit is hand- led and moved about before it reaches the- consumer, and therefore the importance of the most careful packing cannot be lost sight of. To illustrate, let us review the scene on the arri- val of the fruit runs from the South-the two main runs arriv- ing about same time in the morning ((3:30 to 7:30). On arrival of trains at the Union depot, the Southern & Pacific Express Companies back up their wagons to the express cars as soon as the doors are open. A few expressmen, assisted by some of the commission men, or their employes, enter the car and commence passing out the goods to the drivers. A dozen or more firms are represented, and all are in a hurry and anxious to get off with the fruit, for their customers are at their stores up town waiting, and they do not want to miss the early sales— always the best. Therefore, handling each package carefully or laying it down easily,is out of the question, where so many have to be handled in the very short time in which it has to be done. In this car is fruit from perhaps, 20 different shipping points, and from 100 different shippers, intended possibly for 75 different firms, for this car may have shipments for the various towns in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, etc. The outgoing trains will soon be ready and all this fruit must be transferred, checked off and re-billed for its various destinations. The express employes, in their anxiety to keep these various lots 8 SO UTHERN FR UITS AND VEGETABLES from getting left, add to the confusion and prolong the delivery to local receivers. All must be separated for the various part- ties and numerous firms here and elsewhere. Consequently rapid and occasionally rough handling seems unavoidable. When the wagons are loaded they drive across the track to the express buildings and platforms, where the fruit is separated once more for the many firms whose wagons form a solid wreath around the platforms. It is lifted again and passed into all these wagons, receipted for and driven off rapidly, and on reaching the com- mission houses the fruit has to be separated once more and credited up to the respective owners and shippers. After being thus hurriedly handled half a dozen times it is ready for the pur- chaser's inspection. He throws it into his wagon once more with similar haste, and it is hurried off over the streets again, and set down again for the inspection of the consumer ; and it is safe to say, it could not be recognized now by the original owner— apart from his marks— unless the packing was of the best at the start. These are some of the features of the business that should be calmly considered by the shipper, who, too often jumps at the conclusion that he was robbed— that his fruit was first-class, and must have opened up fine. Large shipments or car load lots, do not, however, suffer to this extent, for such are usually loaded into the receiver's wagon and hauled direct to his store, or the Express Company's wagons will do the same when the amount reaches something near a load. Time and re-handling of fruit is thus saved to the large shipper. FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 9 IN REGARD TO PACKING. Growers and shippers of fruit cannot realize, unless they were here to see it opened, how it injures the sale and depreci- ates the value of their goods to find inferior fruit mixed in, and covered up, in good fruit. Put in no inferior fruit of any kind. We know it is difficult to watch pickers where a great many are engaged, especially inexperienced hands, but the successful grower will take timely steps, whatever his hurry, to guard against such a serious mistake. Topping off, putting on top all the good fruit in the box is also a mistake, and its injustice must be apparent to the most indifferent. Let the surface represent a good average of the contents, or perhaps a trifle better, but no further effort should be made to practice a deception. Remember your name or stencil number is on the packages, and the buyer commits to memory very readily the brand which deceived him. Some of the crooked brands are so well known in this market that it is difficult to find a buyer for them, even at a big reduction. Every dealer is trying to secure the best trade which can only be accomplished by having nice, uniform fruit. We repeat, let your fruit run straight and do not injure your reputa- tion by trying to deceive anybody. Packing is a most important part of the business and cannot be studied too closely, and you cannot get out of the business what it is capable of yielding unless your packing is done as it should be. 10 SOUTHERN FEU1TS AND VEGETABLES SOME FACTS TO CONSIDER During the hot weather when you commence shipping. Peas and beans, for instance, gathered in the sun when the thermom- eter registers 90© in the shade, if packed immediately in a bushel box and put into the average hot car will soon be heated to ICO degrees, and a few hours later fermentation and decay folio vvs. Moisture is the surest agent to hasten fermentation, decay and loss, and it is very important that the goods— whether fruits or vegetables -should be thoroughly dry, and the cooler you can get them the better the chances of their reaching their destination in good order. They often encounter while in tran- sit, most unfavorable weather, such as close, cloudy, warm weather, accompanied by frequent showers, and unless the pack- inghas been done under the most favorable conditions, goods will not arrive in good order under such circumstances. A most careful observer states that the crushed leaves of the radish fur- nish moisture enough to ruin the goods in 24 hours if packed in a temperature of 70 degrees or upwards. Exclude from the goods before packed, all the heat and moisture possible, and your packing shed should be so located and constructed that it will catch every passing breeze and allow the air to circu- late freely, and thus carry off the surplus heat and moisture in the goods you are packing. One error in packing, that is too frequently practiced is, that of putting into the same package the various grades, from green to ripe or over-ripe fruits, etc. If you will pack and ship either FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 11 too ripe or too green— which we do not approve of— be sure to put them in separate boxes or paeka'ges, so that one will not spoil the appearance or sale of the other. You must remember that the inevitable jarring and jolting the fruit is subject to while en route, whether berries, tomatoes, peaches, or pears, will cause the hard ones to crush the soft ones, thus spreading the juice over all and spoiling the sale. You will therefore See the necessity of exercising proper precaution. Early in the season, when first shipments are made from the South, the weather is quite cool, and berries reach us as green as when they left shippers' hands, and do not ripen or color up on the way, but shippers' in their anxiety to catch high prices, pick and ship indiscriminately, and thus injure the market on themselves and their neighbors. WHO TO SHIP TO. To handle fruit to advantage requires experience and facili- ties which few commission houses possess. It can be readily seen that houses lacking experience, who receive such consign- ments only occasionally, are not prepared to do justice to ship- pers, or as well as those making a specialty of such products. A firm not regularly in this line of business sometimes receives a shipment when the market is weak and easily broken, and hav- ing no regular trade, is compelled to sell under the market price t thus precipitating a general decline, which could be avoided had the goods been held by some house having an established trade, We are not only familiar with the wants of the local trade, but 12 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES have built up a good order trade, and'at times use the wires freely, at our own expense, in the interest of shipper and pur- chaser, and thereby enable ourselves to clean up and save the market. Through our exertions, in this and other ways, we have done much to bring buyers as well as shippers to our mar- ket, and at the same time built up for ourselves a good business, our efforts being properly appreciated by all parties concerned. We have no doubt the same remarks will apply with equal force to the leading houses in the same line in other markets, a number of whom will be found in this book, for we have selec- ted the best and most experienced firms we could find in the markets represented. All the cards found elsewhere, form a part of the information which should go out with such a work as this. SPECIAL NOTICE. We wish to state to shippers, especially to the many new ones embarking in the business, that the prices received for Southern fruits and vegetables in the principal markets of the country, during the shipping season of 1887, were far above the average figures, the result of unfavorable weather— first, late frosts, and later, prolonged drouths. Therefore, the prices we shall quote as prevailing at the respective dates given, must not be relied on as a fair average, or as a basis for future operations. A liberal margin must be allowed to strike an average. At this writing (March 1st) we are assured that the berry crop of Louisiana is the largest she ever raised. The vegetable supply of Mississippi promises to be more than double that of last year. The strawberry crop further North, however, espe- cially at the big shipping points in Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois and Missouri, will be small, even below the light yield of 1887, the result of the prolonged drouths of the Summer and Fall. FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 13 FRUITS. STRA WBERRIES Are the first fruits of the season. They come to us with the genial atmosphere of Spring, though not infrequently with the raw winds of March, and occasionally with the snowflakes and hard freezing of February. However, regardless of the weather r they are warmly welcomed by the epicure, the invalid and by more or less people with fat pocket-books. Eighteen or twenty years ago strawberries in this market were something of a luxury. The season then was about six weeks in duration. Now, it is six months from the first receipts from the far South until the final shipment from Northern Illinois, or Racine, Wis. The strawberry has been steadily gaining in popularity. It merits the patronage of every man, woman and child. No healthier fruit can be consumed. It is eminently the fruit for the million and now so extensively cultivated, that it is within the reach of all. The supply, rapidly as it has grown, has hardly kept pace with the demand. The many new railroads penetra- ting every section has become the most important factor in the development of the business North and South, and served to bring together, in every market, both the consumer and produ- cer. The re-shipments from here of the Southern products are very large compared to what they were a few years ago. St. 14 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Louis is rapidly becoming, in consequence, a great distributing center, and now has access to a wide range of territory from which she was formerly shut out. Similar progress in the same direction has doubtless been made by other leading centers. More money has been made off the strawberry than any other fruit, considering the time, labor and money involved, and it is likely to remain the most profitable. It represents more money to the acre, as well as more real profits, than any other product. Many of the Southern cultivators in the various states growing considerable small fruits are novices in the business, and have had to battle with all the obstacles and disappoint- ments that beset the pathway of the inexperienced growers, and not a few became discouraged and dropped out when Successful results Were almost discernible. It proved a great relief to many of them to be relieved from the unprofitable labor of cotton raising on lands eminently adap- ted to fruit growing, and yet, rather unproductive and unfit for Southern staple products. There is still a great deal of such land, largely impoverished by the incessant strain of crop rais- ing, that the fruit grower could render remunerative by diligent effort. The strawberry crop rarely fails and never proves a total failure, as many other fruit crops do, except through gross negli- gence. Take this county for instance, where the business is conducted very extensively, some 1,500 acres, and no such thing as a failure of the crop has been recorded in the past twenty years. Occasionally, the crop is light through most FOR NORTHERN MARKET*. 15 unfavorable weather or other causes, but half a crop is the low- est estimate that can be recalled since the business began here, in a small way, twenty years ago. You will see then, that the strawberry growers' investment cannot be regarded in jeopardy, as investments a,re in most other avenues of trade; and, while there is not the alluring profits in the business that there was eight or ten years ago, it must not be forgotten that the margins or profits in every line of business have not only declined and shrunk just as rapidly but to a greater extent. The first receipts in- our market of late years except irregular shipments from Florida, came from Louisiana, gener- ally from Independence, Amite City, or Tickfaw, little stations not far north of New Orleans. The Crescent city, however, receives berries from her suburban fruit patches long before any city further north is favored with shipments, mainly because the favorite varieties there are too sensitive to stand long shipments successfully. Ten or twelve years ago, Cit- ronelle, Ala., thirty miles norty of Mobile, furnished us the first berries of the season for several years in succession and was followed by Charleston, S. C, for a few years. Later, Texas had the honor of doing so for two or three years, and Missis- sippi came very near carrying off the distinction several times. The first receipts of strawberries, last Spring, were from Florida, several cases on the 2nd of March, and sold from 75c to $1.00 a quart. The receipts continued from Florida for several days thereafter, but sales were slow at $3.00 a gallon. On the 4th some small lots came from Louisiana, but were rather green and 16 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES poor, and sold lower than the Florida receipts — $2.00 to $2.50 a gal- lon. March 5th to 10th, under pressure of heavy receipts from Florida and most unfavorable weather, prices declined to $1.25 to 1.50 a gallon. From the 15th to 25th, the figures remained the same, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama now supplying the demand. About the 1st of April the market is $1.00 to $1.50 a gallon according to quality and condition, and the above four States, with a few small shipments from Texas, are represented. The first week in April, Mississippi berries are quoted at $11.00 a case, six gallons. On the 12th of April first berries from Arkansas appear, Crystal City variety, and sold $7.00 to $8.00 a case. April 15th to 20th reads: Mississippi receipts, $8.00 to $10.00 a case; Arkansas, $8.00 to $10.00, Scarlets, $5.00 to $6.00 ; Louisiana, $8.00 to $9.00; Alabama, $7.00 to $9.00; Florida receipts soft, and she disappears about this time. From the 23rd to 30th of April, most of the receipts are from Arkansas ; Tennessee, however, has made a few shipments, and on the 1st of May receipts are quite heavy ; Mississippi is still shipping— fruit is firm and selling at $3.00 to $4.00 a case ; Kentucky appears 1st of May, her fruit selling at $6.00 a case ; Arkansas, $3.00 to $5.00 ; Tennessee, $4.50 to $5.00 a case. 2nd and 4th, receipts very heavy— bulk from Arkansas— which sold at an average of $2.50 to $3.00 a case, fruit being delayed and some soft and water-soaked; Tennessee, $3.00 to $3.25; Kentucky, $1.00 to $4.50; Southern Illinois, $4.00 to $4.50; Southeast Missouri stock commenced to come, and sold at $4.00 to $4.50 a case. May 10th, quotations : Arkansas, $2.00 a case ; Tennessee; $2.C0 to $2.50, mostly Crescents ; Kentucky, $2.75 to FOR NOR THERN MARKE TS. 17 $3.75, Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri $3 to $4.00 a case. May 15th the Price Current reads Tennessee and Arkansas ship- ping in a small way, but fruit soft and inferior (final shipments). Arkansas $1.75 to $2.75, Tennessee $2 to $3.00, Southern Illinois $2 50 to $3 75, Southeast Missouri, mainly Monarchs, $3 to $4 25, Kentucky Crescent and Sharpless $3.00 to $4.25. Home-grown have now commenced to come regularly— 75c. to $1.00 a gallon very fine Wilsons. After this time the market possesses little interest for the shipper south of this. It will be seen from the foregoing that prices did not reach the low point they often do at the height of the season. It should be added that an unfavor- able season lowered the grade, or quality of the fruit for most shippers, especially those of Tennessee and Arkansas, which embraced for ten days or more the bulk of the receipts. You will see from the foregoing where the fruit comes from, when they begin, and who you will have to compete with as shippers as the season progresses. Our local crop of berries, usually very fine, is composed largely of Wilsons, and is shipped freely in every direction. It comes in half-bushel drawers, in stands of four drawers. Some, however, continue to use the six-gallon case, which many ship- pers prefer to any other package in filling orders. As to varieties, we still consider the Wilson the great berry for commercial purposes. For the family wants or local trade we would select a sweeter and finer flavored fruit. The Sharp- less, Monarch, Capt. Jack, Crescent, and many others we might enumerate, have claims to distinction too. The Charleston 13 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES variety we regard quite valuable for the far South, say Central Mississippi and farther South. A great many newer varieties than the foregoing are very highly spoken of, but not being very familiar with them shall make no farther reference to them. Six-gallon cases (24 quarts) bring most of the fruit to this market and will doubtless continue to do so. For long distances or Eastern markets would recommend the Gift Crate, a 32-quart ventilated crate (basket quarts), such as Florida uses, a package which meets all the requirements of thorough ventilation. The special paragraph elsewhere in regard to packing should not be overlooked. BLACKBERRIES. Do not figure very extensively among the shipments from the South, it is not a good shipper, and a good portion of the con- signments arrive in bad order. Blackberries, under certain conditions, become sour while in transit during the night — though we have seen berries out thirty-six to forty hours which arrived in fair order. The very hot weather that usually accompanies the maturing of this fruit is the worst feature it has to contend with. We would not, therefore, advise extensive planting by parties far away from market. Arriving as it always does when the market is crowded with strawberries, it does not bring any fancy price. The fruit, however, is attractive and sells readily, if it can be placed before the purchaser fresh from the vines or a few hours after gatheri»g. FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 19 The first receipts were wild from Arkansas, May 27th, and sold at $3.00 a case— six gallons. They continued to come steadily for ten days, the price varying but little, $2.50 to $3.00 a case. About the 10th of June cultivated are coming and find buyers at $3.50 to $4.50 a case. From the 15th to 20th receipts are very liberal— mainly wild— Arkansas still furnishing the majority of the receipts, although Illinois and Missouri are also shipping, and prices range from $1.25 to $2.50 a case for wild, according to condition, etc.; cultivated $2.50 to $3.50. The course of the market later will disclose little of interest to Southern shippers. Alabama shipped here very successfully three years ago for nearly a month— commencing about the 8th of May and securing good prices $3.00 to $4.50 a case. It was a small berry, probably wild, but firm, and reached here by fast freight, two and a half days out, in fine order. The Lawton— an old standard variety, one of the best, its only fault that it is a little tender and gets killed too often in this latitude. The Kittatinney is in a measure taking its place, being quite hardy and very productive, but the fruit is not so large. There are several other highly recommended varieties not so well known to us. The strawberry case is the most suitable package. They should be gathered just as soon as fairly colored— while yet firm. If permitted to get fully ripe, or soft, will soon sour, the least jar- ring, or rough handling scattering the juice, which sours the whole lot in a few hours. 20 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES BLACK RASPBERRIES Have been slowly but steadily disappearing from our markets The supply of last year was the lightest in ten years, though nine or ten years ago immense quantities came in from this vicinity— especially from Collinsville, Ills., ten miles east of us. At present, however, the people there are devoting their atten- tion to something else, for the strawberries became so abundant and cheap in the market of late years that the profitable open- ing for black raspberries vanished. Still there is too little cultivated now for the demand. Dur- ing the past two years the shipper fortunate enough to have some realized good prices, and for the first time in the experience of the trade they sold as high as the red varieties, which formerly averaged nearly double the prices paid for black. The black is a good shipper, hardy and productive, and not as sensitive or diffi- cult to grow as the red. For long shipments the pint box and three-gallon cases ought to be used, though parties within a few hours' ride of the market, could use the quart boxes and crates. They appear soon after the blackberry, and open at about 75c. a gallon, and gradually decline as the receipts increase, until they strike $2.50 a case (24 quarts), which is about as low as they reach at any time. There is a good demand now for the black as well as the red raspberry, from the canning and preserving establishments, an additional inducement to cultivate them. We consider the Miami Black Cap and the Gregg the two best varieties grown— the Gregg heading the list. FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 21 RED RASPBERRIES Are a prime favorite with all lovers of fruit, and yet have been somewhat overlooked by the average fruit grower until about four years ago, when a number of cultivators turned their atten- tion to them. Southern Illinois grows them in abundance and ships freely to this city— always in pint boxes, in neat, flat, three- gallon cases, which are the proper packages for this delicious, but somewhat delicate fruit. They do not stand long shipments. Arkansas or West Tennessee is as far south as we would suggest growing for this market. Mississippi grows considerable of them for the New Orleans and other Southern markets, and prof- itably too, I learn. When the receipts become large, the canning establishments here are the most liberal buyers we have— their figures, according to supplies on market, quality and condition of fruits, are from 40c. to GOc a gallon, but this is in the midst of the season, when they are most abundant, say from the middle to the latter part of June. The first receipts came in 25th May from Arkansas, and' ranged from $2.00 .to $2.50 per three-gallon case, pint boxes, and slowly declined until the latter part of June, when they fell to nearly half the foregoing figures, the lowest prices known to the trade here. The prices about 1st July are $1.00 to $1.50 per three gallon case (24pints),and the receipts mainly from Kentucky, Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and this country, ranging in quality and condition from very poor to choice. 22 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES CHERRIES Do not appear to be a very profitable crop south of this latitude. The cherry tree being perfectly hardy, thrives in all the Northern States in good soil, and it is not adapted to a warm climate. The finer varieties which embrace the Mazzardg, Hearts and Biggar- eaus, do not flourish in either the West or South, owing princi- pally to the injury inflicted on the bark or trunks of the trees by the hot sun of midsummer. The Dukes and Morelloes are less susceptible to climate influences, are smaller and hardier, and the fruit being more acid, embrace some of the features that make it a better keeper and shipper hence they are better adapted to the West and South. Illinois and Missouri furnish most of the cherries consumed here. The first receipts received were from Southern Illinois, 14th of May, and sold at 75c. per gallon— Early May variety. The first receipts the previous year were from Arkansas, and sold at G5c. per gallon, or $4.00 per case, getting in on the 15th of May. In 1886, first receipts were from Tennessee, 18th of May, selling at 75c. per gallon. The prices do not decline much for the two weeks following, but then the Illinois and Missouri shippers com- mence and ship quite freely, and the price soon declines to $2.00 per case, and later, when the growers in this vicinity get to pick- ing, the price is down to 25c. per gallon, which is generally the lowest they reach at any time, figures that shut out growers at a distance. In damp, cloudy weather they decay very rapidly after reaching maturity. FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 23 Of course the stem should be left attached to the fruit, since it not only fills the box much more readily in this way,but keeps the berries from bleeding and becoming sour soon afterwards. Cher- ries come to us occasionally from as far south as Mississippi. Every fruit grower should have at least a few trees for home use if nothing more. The strawberry boxes and crates should be used for them. GOOSEBERRIES AND CURRANTS Eeceive little attention at the hands of Southern shippers. The climate is not so well adapted to their culture as it is further north. Some have tried them, no doubt, but with what success we have not^learned. We consider each worthy of trial to some extent, at least, for local consumption if nothing more. It would pay well to get either in here ahead of local growers. They are not grown extensively in this section, though the prices are usually good throughout the season. Our market is supplied with currants mainly from Northern Illinois. Onarga is famous for currant growing. Galena also ships considerable to this market. Strawberry boxes and crates are adapted to both in shipping. Gooseberries were quite scarce in this market last year, $2.00 per bushel being the lowest price paid, while the bulk of the sales were $2.00 to $2.50 per case— 24 quarts. Supplies were evidently 24 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES small at all points. Houghton, Seedling and Downing are the best varieties. They heat in a short time in barrels or sacks, and should be shipped only in drawers or strawberry cases— 24 quarts. They stand shipping so well is one good inducement to plant. Ship when full-grown before they commence getting brown. Currants flourish best in a cool, shady or partly shaded local- ity, such as northside of fences. They grow successfully in this locality and ought to succeed further south. The Red and White Dutch varieties are best. Use the same packages as for goose- berries, drawers or quart boxes. They were scarce and high all last season— ranging from 40c. to 75c. per gallon throughout. NECTARINES Are entirely neglected or forgotten by the fruit growers patron- izing this market. Indeed, they are a novelty here, so rarely can they be found. When they do appear, however, they find ready sale at $1.00 to $2.00 per box. The Nectarine is simply a peach with a smooth, glossy skin, devoid of the fuzz of the peach, but its smooth surface unfortunately seems to attract the attention of the Curculio who preys on it, and is, no doubt, largely respon- sible for its absence in our markets. We believe, however, it has not been given a fair show by the fruit growers, or we would see more of the fruit. FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. APRICOTS Kipen a month before peaches do, and would strike a splendid market on this account, and nearly all I have said about the Nec- tarine will apply with equal force here. It is too much neg- lected and its great enemy, too, is the Curculio, which attacks the plum, a fruit the Apricot so much resembles, partaking of its character and habits, and successfully attacked by the same insects. The Apricot is budded on seedling Apricots, and also on peach and plum stocks, the latter preferable, being longer-lived. The Apricot appears a cross between the plum and the peach, but from a scientific point, it is not. A few come in from this county and find willing buyers at $1.50 to $2.00 per box, but very seldom, however, can any be found here. WHOR TLEBERR1ES €ome to us quite freely every year, especially from Arkansas, where they grow wild. They usually sell well at $3.00 to $4.00 per case of twenty-four quarts. A good many are sent in only partly ripe, and often mixed, some green and some ripe. Green ones are unsalable and have to be dumped, while the mixed sell according to amount of ripe ones in the package. Only straight ripe or fully colored should be shipped, as it is difficult to sell the mixed or partly ripe at any price. 26 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THE DAMSON PLUM We believe, has never been properly tested by the fruit growers generally of the South, and I doubt whether any other plum will pay near as well in the territory tributary to this market. Very hardy and productive and enjoying, as it does, immunity from insect enemies, and in addition to these market advantages, the best shipper of all— it is more than surprising that it should be so overlooked. It thrives on neglect, yields a half to a full crop as regularly and surely as the apple orchard does, and being long- lived and content to nourish in out-of-the-way places and fence corners, it appeals strongly to the fruit grower for recognition. The market moreover is never glutted, rarely sells below 75c. to $1.00 per box, and more frequently averages $1 .00 to %\ .25 per box, and comes through in splendid order in one-third bushel boxes. It should be gathered when fully colored, and will then be safe for several days' shipment. It also makes a most delicious preserve, and is purchased freely for this purpose by the many preserving establishments here who have to send East frequently for supplies. Very few of the choice varieties of plums, so well known East, are grown anywhere within reach of this market. The many who attempted cultivating an assortment of choice varieties be- came discouraged at the inroads made on the crop by the Curcu- lio and other insect enemies, and did not exercise the patience, perseverance and labor necessary to save the fruit from them, so abandoned further efforts in that direction. Very rarely, therefore, can the Gages or other favorite varieties be found in our market. FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 27 QUINCES. There is little demand in this market for the quince, until the heated term is passed. Being purchased only for preserving purposes, they are somewhat neglected until toward the^st of October. Most of the preserving is attended to in October and November. This suits the producers within a radius of 100 miles or so of this market, but the more southern territory find this too late for their shipments, which mature some weeks earlier. Prices during August and September average $1.50 to $2.00 per bushel, and for the next two months $2.00 to $2.50 per bushel. If the fruit is gathered carefully and kept entirely free from bruises, and laid away in the coolest places accessible to the grower, in the absence of cold storage, they can be kept successfully for several weeks. Quinces come here every year from California, wrapped in paper in three-peck boxes, but do not reach here until the local supplies disappear. As few fruit growers pay any attention to the quince, it is usually a profitable crop. The majority of the quinces that appear in our market every season, usually in November, come from New York State, where they are extensively and successfully grown. In the West and South, the few trees planted have been too much neglected, and as a result, many of the trees become stunted and barren. The soil for the quince should be deep and rich, such as will raise good corn and potatoes, and should be kept well cultivated. I have rarely seen a quince tree in my travels that was not stunted and full of suckers, the usual evidence of neglect. 28 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES They can be packed in half, or bushel boxes, also in barrels, and can be shipped by freight when the express charges come too high. When full grown, but before they color up much, gather and ship them. This will afford an opportunity to re-ship if nec- essary. GRAPES. Grape growing south of this latitude has not received the attention that the business' merits. Instead of increasing, the business has been on the decline for several years. Those that have fairly tried it to an extent, have made it pay handsomely. From what we have received from the different States south of this latitude, we think that the Ives Seedling, Concord and Dela- ware are the varieties that will produce the most money. Of course, several more varieties might be profitably grown, but we would head the list with these three varieties, and next, would say Moore's Early, similar to the Concord, ten days earlier, and quite valuable on this account. We disclaim any inten- tion of doing injustice to the many newer varieties that are offered, some of which may possibly prove more profitable than the varieties well known to us, so the matter of testing, etc, rests with the grower. The experiments made are few, and possibly the grape for the million in the Southern States is still unknown to them. The Scuppernong, so well known to the Southern people, is unknown in this market, rarely appearing FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 2& here ; it would not become popular here, anyhow. The Concord is here among grapes what the Wilson is among the straw- berry buyers, the one for the" people, especially for commercial purposes. We would suggest discarding the Hartford altogether. The berries drop off when it reaches maturity, and it becomes at once almost unsalable, unless for a mere trifle. The injury inflicted on the crop in this vicinity by late frosts and severity of midwinter, the past three or four seasons, dis- couraged so many grape growers that we look for little from them in the future. In fact, within a radius of one hundred miles of this city the business is steadily on the decline, and far from what it was ten or twelve years ago, when Missouri prom- ised to become a great grape growing State, and when a number of confident and enthusiastic growers were making extensive arrangements for the future. In consequence, last year St. Louis received from Ohio alone, during the six weeks she was shipping, thirty-five to forty cars— 25,000 pounds to the car— the majority of them in neat ten-pound baskets, wooden covers, the best package used. New York State shipped here also, perhaps fifty cars in all, the bulk of them choice Concords. Pennsylvania and Northern Illinois, also shipped several cars. A good many of the Ohio receipts were also in open baskets, holding about fifteen pounds ; a brown paper over them and tied around the basket with a string. On arrival the papers were removed, and the bunches of grapes which rounded the top were so carefully handled that the bloom on them remained undisturbed. They looked inviting and sold well. This package can be used only 30 SO UTHERN FR UITS A ND VEOE TA BLES when shipping by the car which is locked, sealed and open only by the consignee at destination. Among the New York and Ohio grapes last season were some of the Niagara and Pocklington varieties, the finest white grapes that ever appeared on our market. The bunches are large and compact— berries as large as the Concord— good flavor and shipper, and altogether highly attractive in appearance. They sold readily at 10 to 12 cents per pound when the market was crowded with grapes. Ohio grows the Concord and Catawba very successfully, and the art of hand- ling and packing is thoroughly understood by the growers there. Western New York shipped very choice grapes— the handling and packing being about perfect. They came during October and November. From the foregoing it can be readily seen that there is more encouragement than ever for Southern growers, as the markets of the North and West will be found comparatively bare for a long time. The first receipts last year appeared the first week in July, were from Mississippi and Alabama, one-third bushel boxes, 12 to 14 pounds net, and sold at $1.00 per box. The variety was the Hartford— the poorest variety cultivated, having really nothing to recommend it. Any other variety coming at this time would sell much higher. Texas made a few shipments about same time, crowding the fruit into quart boxes in 6-gallon cases — a very poor package to use or sell. A week later, July 15th, Hartford's were quoted at 5c. per pound; Ives, 7 to 8c; Concords, first receipts, 10c— the majority of the receipts in one-third bushel boxes. Delawares FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 31 appear about this time and sell at 12c. per pound. On the 1st of August, we fin&Delawares selling at 10 to 13c. per pound ; Hart- ford's, 4c. ; Ives, 6 to 7c. ; Concords, 7 to Sc. ; Martha, 6 to 8c, and the receipts are mainly in ten pound baskets, a much more desirable package, but selling on the above basis and gross weight. At this time and later on, all kinds of packages are coming. About the 15th of August, when the market is lowest of the season, broken down rather by the poor quality than quantity coming, mainly local growth, the quotations are: Hartford, 2c. ; Ives, 3c. ; Concords, 3 to 5c. ; Delaware, 10 to 12c. ; Martha, 5 to 6c. ; Goethe, 6 to 8c. ; Elvira, 7 to 9c. The markets remain about this way a week or so, and after that time begins to improve. The Virginia Seedling is the last variety to appear here— selling mainly to the wine-makers at 4 to 5c. per pound. When the local supply is nearly exhausted, Ohio begins, and New York soon afterwards. The receipts from this vicinity and southward last year, disclosed the poorest packing we have witnessed for years. They were cut off the vines and packed regardless of their condition. Now permit us to say, only fully colored or ripe grapes should be shipped. Cut off the green, rotten, shriveled, dried, or otherwise imperfect fruit. All should be cut out carefully with a pair of scissors before packed. The regular ten-pound basket, that used by the New York and Ohio grape growers, is the package that should be universally used. To Southern shippers we will say that grapes come in good order also, in one-third bushel boxes, when properly packed. If loosely packed, or in such a manner that any of the grapes can 32 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. be displaced or moved while in transit, they will not reach here in good shape. The bunches should be laid in carefully, in rows like peaches. At the top let the cover press down sufficiently to hold firmly all the bunches in their places. When the cover is removed on arrival here no stems should be in sight, only a smooth surface of grapes should appear. In packing let the stems be downward. The fruit should be handled as little as possible, so as to protect the bloom that covers the grape. Packing in quart-boxes, in six-gallon cases, should be avoided. The fruit has to be handled too much, and the bunches are not such size as will fill the boxes to advantage. Five to ten- pound boxes in crates or frames might also be used, but the basket is the proper package for the grape, and early in the season, long before needed, correspond with some leading estab- lishment, such as the one at Cobden, Illinois, whose card appears elsewhere, and ascertain the kinds offered and costs of same. We repeat, you have a long and profitable season in all the West- ern markets before you are disturbed by competition. The keeping qualities of the grape is one of the important features to consider. The Ohio and New York grape shippers can hold their grapes in buildings prepared for that purposes— cold storage apartments, etc— three to six weeks, or until a better market appears, and then ship when the best prices prevail. We have Catawba grapes in this market to-day, February 28th. FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 33 PEACHES Are becoming more important each year as a crop to Southern fruit growers. Thousands of acres in most of the Southern States, more especially in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Northern Louisiana and Northern Texas, are eminently adapted to peach growing. The business has undergone a revolution the past few years. Five or six years ago the culture of early sorts only was considered south of this latitude, especially in Arkansas and Tennessee, and many large orchards were planted about that time; the obnoxious and unprofitable Hale's Early figuring extensively in the selected list. Three and four years ago the earliest sorts not only failed to pay, but in many cases it would have paid the grower to let them rot on the trees or under them. Still the shippers thought they would give them another chance, but experience with these earliest varieties three years ago was bad enough to condemn every tree. It is safe to say, that more than half the shipments were consumed by the express charges. A rooting out of these very early sorts followed to a beneficial extent, and the past two seasons showed the wisdom of the step, in the lighter receipts and better prices resulting. It will be seen, then, that the former plan will have to be reversed, as it is the medium to late varieties that pay best now. The Troth's Early, or the season of its ripening, is early enough, and those varieties maturing before that, rarely pay. They are entirely too perishable in their character, and warm, rainy, 34 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES cloudy weather affects their appearance in a few hours, and the shaking up they get by the many handlings they are necessarily subject to, assists in rendering them unsightly if not unsal- able in a short time. A few years ago, when Missouri and Illinois were growing far more peaches than they are now, they were the great com- petitors of the more southern shippers, and the Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee and Kentucky growers realized that their only hope was in early shipments— since the advantages of the season, or earliness in maturing, gave them the field for at least several weeks, and, hence, the great fields of early sorts. Now that Mis- souri has had five successive failures of the crop, and Illinois only two small crops in five years, they are almost out of the race, for not only have the buds been killed each year, but many of the trees were ruined also by the severity of the weather, and very few orchards or trees were planted to take their place. The outlook, therefore, is very bright for the more southern shippers ; they must abandon the idea of growing the earliest kinds, however. In regard to varieties it is very difficult to arrange a list to suit such a wide range of territory, so we will not attempt to name one.. A list in Southern Illinois may not meet the approval of a Texas or Mississippi grower, and Arkansas might select a list differing from that needed in any other State. There is one variety that has found general favor in the South, and that is the Chinese Cling. We think it has received more attention than it merits. It generally lacks color and is too subject to decay— seri- FOR NORTHERN MARKETS, 35 large packages, especially in barrels, sacks, or tight packages,, even when shipped by express. They should not be out over two days, or three days at most, though they cannot be regarded very green or fresh if on the way longer than twenty- four hours, in the warm weather usually prevailing at that time. In packing shake down thoroughly, and a little pressing down in nailing on the side piece or cover of the box won't hurt them. Have them as cool and dry as possible before packing,, to avoid heating. STRING BEANS. The first receipts arrived on the 25th March, three-peck boxes,, which sold at $3.50 per box. Receipts continued light for a week. or more, New Orleans and Florida shipping. On the 1st April $2.25 to $2.75 per box for freight receipts, and express $2.50 to $3.00, mainly New Orleans 3-peck boxes. April 10th prices are about the same and bulk of receipts from Louisiana. On the 20th receipts quite liberal and prices $1.50 to $1.75 for 3- pecks. On the 25th prices are unchanged, but on the 1st May better stock and higher prices— Alabama $2.00 to $2.50 and Louisiana receipts $1.50 to $2.00. Five days later 25c. per box lower all round. The wax variety has appeared and sells 25c. per box higher than the green. May 15th report reads, New Orleans flat 75c. to $1.00 per box and wax $1.50, Alabama round $1.50 to $1.60 per box (bushel). May 20th New Orleans 90c. ta FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 75 $1.00 for green, wax $1.65, Alabama $1.25 to $1.50 per box, wax $1.75 to $1.90. 25th, Louisiana $1.00 per box for green and wax, Mobile $1.25 to $1.50, Arkansas 40c. to 60c. for one-third bu. boxes, and wax variety at 65c. per box. A week later home-grown appear and secures most of the trade. The round bean sells much better than the flat variety, and the Wax bean generally higher than either, though the market will not consume near as many of the latter. The flat (Early Mohawk) is the earliest and most valuable on this account- The Valentine, or round bean, is tenderer and less stringy, and sells kigher. Pack same as the pea— though they do not shrink as much as the pea while in transit. In packing exclude all the moisture possible and let them be as cool as circumstances will permit. TV ith proper precaution* so many will not reach here mouldy. In unfavorable weather they carry and keep better in one-third or half-bushel boxes— although the majority of the receipts come in three-peck and bushel boxes. A good many of the Arkansas beans come nicely packed in one-third bushel boxes, the beans crossing all the openings, so that none can drop out in this way while in transit. 76 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. TOMATOES. As stated elsewhere, the first receipts are from the Island of Bermuda and come into the leading markets, East and West, during January and February. They come wrapped in brown paper, it seven-quart boxes, and keep in good order for several weeks, the price being usually about a dollar a box. We judge they are gathered when full grown, and then given plenty of time to ripen and color up while riding around the country. The first receipts last year appeared from Bermuda and Florida about the same time, 1st February, and sold for $1.50 peck boxes. The market remained quiet and steady for a week, when they declined to $1.25 per box. 10th to loth they average about $1.00 per box. March 1st Bermuda and Florida shipping steadily and prices are lower, 50c. to $1.00 per box. March 15th to 20th receipts are light and prices $1.00 to $1.25 per box. April 1st to 25th only Bermuda stock are offered, and scarce— $1.50 per box. First week in May receipts still confined to Bermuda growth and prices $1.00 to $1.25 per box. May 12th to 20th Bermuda 75c to $1.00. It is a very unusual thing to find none of the Southern States shipping tomatoes here late as the 20th of May. On the 23rd first receipts from Mississippi, which sold readily at $2.50 per one-third bushel box. Receipts for several days are mainly from Mississippi, but too green to sell at full or ripe prices— $1.75 to $2.00. 25th, Alabama ships, getting $2.00 per box, and a few days later Texas and Louisiana are shipping, and prices range from $1.50 to $2.00 per box. 1st June, bulk receipts from Missis- FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 77 sippi and Alabama and prices $1.50 to $1.75 per box. June 3rd to 6th, large receipts. Florida $2.00 to $2.40 per bushel crate, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama 75c. to $1.00 per one- third bu. for stock not quite ripe— full ripe $1.25. Crystal Springs Mississippi, where vegetable growing is conducted on a very- extensive scale, commenced shipping at this time ; by freight in car-load lots. The stock was very tine, the freight receipts arriv- ing in splendid order, and sold right along at higher prices than were paid for most of the receipts from other points. They were gathered at just the proper time to stand the two or three days, were properly packed, and were eagerly sought for by the general trade. Shipped nearly a car each day for some time. June 8th, Arkansas commenced, getting $1.00 per box, the highest prices ruling then. June 15th to 20th, Mississippi 50c. to 75c, Arkansas 75c. to 90c, Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Kentucky 85c and 93c per box. Home-grown commenced to come freely soon afterwards and shippers will hare to gradually pull out. Southern Illinois, however, shipped profitably for a long time afterwards. The importance of proper handling, packing, etc., is not properly estimated. If ripe tomatoes are going to be gathered, be sure you put them in a separate box ; but ripe stock should not be sent forward unless you are only a few hours' ride from market. Even then they are liable to arrive in bad order. Generally speaking, the proper time to gather and pack is when the tomato is full grown and beginning to color, or partly colored, depending upon the time in transit. The warm weather 78 SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES prevailing at the time will ripen them fast enough. You should not lose sight of the fact that a good many are wanted for re-ship- ment, and to be fit for this trade, the best we have, must not be fully ripe when they reach us. When shipped by freight they must be gathered still sooner, when full grown, before coloring sets in. Freight is not desirable unless you have some assurance in regard to time. A good many come from the South by freight that are almost worthless on arrival. Last year considerable came entirely too green ; that is, were picked and shipped before full grown and most of such stock arrived rotten. The regular peach box (one-third bushel) should be used. The best packing usually appearing in this market, is that from Southern Illinois, where the most experienced growers reside. Their packing is almost perfect. No knotty, stunted, overripe, or otherwise imperfect stock should be put in the box under any circumstances there. The receipts from that section are always sought by the shippers here in consequence. There is a very wide demand for the tomato; all classes being pur- chasers as soon as the price becomes reasonable. The demand for it is steadily on the increase. A great deal of money has been made off the tomato, not only in the South, but also North and East. The South is des- tined, however, to remain the most profitable region to cultivate them for commercial purposes. The improved facilities and lower rates for reaching Northern, or distant markets, continue to afford substantial encouragement. An acre of ground can be made to yield enormously in efficient hands ; from one hundred FOR NORTHERN MARKETS. 79 ^^<«5«f- HM&RERVES BRDS. -^LINCOLN, NEBRASKA. If you have any Fruits or Produce to ship to this* market, give us a trial. We make a specialty in these lines. Quotations. Stencils and Shipping Cards sent promptly on application. REFERENCE S i Wm. T. Coleman & Co., San Francisco and Chicago. A. Booth & Son, Chicago and Baltimore. W. R. Stkong & Co., Sacramento, California. H. P. Stanley & Sons, Chicago, Ills. Anv Bank or Wholesale House in Nebraska, [93] ESTABLISHED 1880. SOUTH LAWRENCE ffo* 6. "I_i«.\»-ve\£\.ee, "\£.cv%. lIMake a Specialty of Growing STRAWBERRY PLANTS for Nurserymen and large Planters, MY COLLECTIOH EMBRACES 75 VARIETIES, Including 1 the latest new sorts. I have also on trial, some promising New Seedlings of my own origin. — o LET ME FIGURE ON YOUR WANTS, o — A Trial Order will convince you that my Strawberry Plants are second to none. A PROMINENT FEATURE OF MY PLANT BUSINESS Is never to send out a two-year old Strawberry Plant on any account, and never to send out Plants not true to name. FOR SALETHIS YEAR (1888) 800,000 STRAWBERRY PLANTS. PRICE LISTS FREE, For my 1888 Illustrated Small-Fruit Manual five 2-cent stamps. National Bank, Lawrence, Kas.; G. G. Johnson, President, Kansas State Horticultural Society, Lawrence. Correspondence Solicited.. B. F. SMITH, Sec'y Douglas Co. Horticultural Society, Box 66. LAWRENCE, KAS. -^BENNETT & MRLI> (Established by E. HALL, 1861,) Commission Merchants, -AND DEALERS IN— < FRUIT, POULTRY, GAME > •A-nd. -A-ll I^ind-s of O0-a.ri.tr37- DProdL-o.ee, 161 WEST STREET, Corner Park Place. I^BW 1/01^. Refer to Publishers of this Book and Irving National Bank, New York. The Most Extensive and Original Advertisers in the Produce Business. Have Correspondents in all the Principal Cities and Towns in the United States. Make Quick Sales and Prompt Returns. Ship Goods to Order. Answer Inquiries Promptly. Attend to Sales Personally. Have Best of References. N. B. — Send for Stencils, Cards and Shipping Directions. Make a Trial Consignment or send an order. Do not-fail to call when you visit the city. BENNETT & HALL, Members of the Mercantile Exchange. 161 West Street, NEW YORK, C »5 J ESTABLISHED 1856. p. JA.. f ERRY $ jCo. Detroit, - Mich,, • Grozvers, Importers and Dealers in Vegetable, Flower and Field SEEDS. We make a specialty of supplying choice Peas, Beans and all other Vegetable Seeds to Truckers and Market Gardeners in all parts of the country. Our Seed Annual, containing full descriptions, prices and other needed information, mailed free on application. Ready at Christmas each year. Send for it. Address, D. (J\. p^V ($0., Detroit, Mich. [96] isT.A.sx-iejKiEXD xrtr 1372. J. W. SHORT & BRO., Successors to J. W. SHORT, Qeneral Commission /T\erchants For the Sale of Fruit, Produce and Vegetables, Nns, 321 and 323 SECOND STREET, REFERENCES : j g™£ SSS^ LOUISVILLE, KY. WRITE FOR STENCIL AND INFORMATION. ESTABLISHED Oct. 17th, 1877. Chas. H. Goldsmith, TERKB HAUTE, IND., produce Comgiggion Mepcbaqt Specially Small Fruits and Vegetables. Oranges, Lemons and Bananas, car load. Late in fall of year, on Potatoes, Apples, Cabbage and Onions. Sten- cils and information promptly furnished. Prompt returns made. Population this city, forty thousand. References: McKeen & Co., Bank, Adams or Express Agents, this city, or P. M. Kiely & Co. Truly yours, CHAS. H. GOLDSMITH. [97] SEED USUALLY SOWN UPON AN ACRE. Barley, broadcast. 2 to 3 bus. Beans, Dwarf, in drills.. \% bus. Beans, Pole, in hills 10tol2qts. Beets, in drills 5 to 6 lbs . Broom Corn, in hills 8 to 10 qts. Buckwheat 1 bus . Cabbage, to transplant... H lb. Carrot, in drills 3 to 4 lbs. Chinese Sugar Can« 12 qts. Corn, in hills 8 to 10 qts. Corn, for soiling 3 bus. Cucumber, in hills 2 lbs. Flax, broadcast \% bus. Hemp \y z bus. Mustard, broadcast K bus. Melon, Musk, in hills... 2 to 3 lbs. Melon, Water, in hills. . .4 to 5 lbs. Millet, broadcast lbus. Oats, broadcast 2 to 3 bus . Onion, in drills 5 to 6 lbs. Onion, for sets, in drills, 30 lbs. Onion Sets, in drills 6 to 12 bus . Parsnips, in drills 4 to 6 lbs. Peas, in drills la bus. Peas, broadcast 3 bus. Potatoes, cut tubers 10 bus. Pumpkin , in hills 4 to 6 lbs Radish, in drills 8 to 10 lbs . Rye, broadcast 1>£ to 2 bus Sage, in drills 8 to lOlbs. Salsify, in drills S to 10 lbs. Spinach, in drills 10 to 12 lbs. Squash, bush. var. in hills, 4 to 6 lbs. Squash, running " " 3 to 4 lbs. Tomato, to transplant li lb. Turnip, in drills y z to 2 lbs. Turnip, broadcast 3 to 4 lbs.- Vetches, broadcast 2 to 3 bus. Wheat 13* to 2 bus. PLANTS AND TREES TO SET TO THE ACRE. Disiance. Number. 1 foot by 1 foot 43,500 IX feet by la feet 19,360 2 " 2 " 10,890 3 3 3 4 !3* . 6,970 14,520 . 7.260 . 4,840 2,722 , 1,742 6 9 12 15 18 20 25 30 40 Distance. feet by 6 feet " 9 »■ Number, 1,210 637 " 12 " 302 " 15 " 194 " 18 " 134 «' 20 " " 25 " 105 70 ■« 30 " 40 11 40 " 37 [98] WEIGHT OF PRODUCE. Wheat 60 Corn, Shelled 56 Corn, in the Ear 70 Corn Meal 50 Rye '. 56 Oats 32 Flax Seed 56 Buckwheat 52 Barley 48 Hungarian Grass 48 Millet 50 Clover 60 Hemp 44 Malt 34 Timothy 45 Sorghum Cane 50 Red Top Grass 14 Orchard Grass 14 Lbs- Blue Grass .' 14 Osage Orange 33 Coal 80 Salt 50 Potatoes , Irish 60 Potatoes, Sweet 50 Onions 57 Turnips 57 White Beans 60 Peas 60 Split Peas 60 Castor Beans 46 Green Apples 50 Dried Apples 24 Onion Top Sets 28 Dried Peaches 33 B ran 20 Peanuts, Dry Southern 22 GRASS SEED TO THE ACRE. White Clover 3 to 5 pounds. Red Clover 10 to 15 pounds. Lucerne Clover 6 to 8 pounds. Alsike Clover 4 to 6 pounds. Timothy 12 pounds. Hungarian Gra*J....l bushel. Blue Grass 1H to 3 bushels. Rye Grass \Y. to 2 bushels. Orchard Grass 1 % to 2 bushels . [99] W, P. M£SL£R &C0„ Manufacturers and Dealers in all kinds of Ftfniii and Vegetable pac^age^. PACTOE.T -A.T COBDEN, Union County, ~ - ILLINOIS. 42 miles North of Cairo on I. C. B. R. f and three miles from St. Louis §- Cairo JR. It. We keep on hand large quantities of Hallock and Leslie Quarts and Crates, £ bushel and bushel boxes, and can fill orders early with dry material ; saving consumers considerable on freight. We also keep on hand Wire Nails, Tacks, Tack Hammers, Forms for making Quarts, Wire and Wire Sewing Box Machines for sewing the boxes together. Refer to Parker Earle, Pres. Miss. Val. Hort. Society. J. H. & H. E, McKay, Madison, Miss. W. M. Samuels, Clinton, Ky. P. M. Kiely & Co., St. Louis. SElrTID FOR PRICE LIST. [100] F A R M E R S ! Feed your Land and it will Feed you. fyichoi 1 Braqd "Fertilize^" ON ALL — FIELD AND GARDEN CROPS, Thereby increasing the yield 50 to 100 per cent., and maturing the crops much earlier. SEND FOR OUR ^MEMORANDUM 4- POCKET 4- BOOK,**- Giving full directions, etc. A. B. MAYER M'F'G CO., ANCHOR BONE WORKS M2 ANCHOR FERTILIZER WORKS, ST. LOUIS, MO. We also make a brand especially adapted for Oranges, Florida crops, called the " Tankage Fertilizer." [101] ESTABLISHED 1BZB. B. If. TANMBM f Commission ITJePGhant, 521 WALNUT STREET, ZE^-^n^TS-^-S CITY, MO. Special Attention Given to Early Fruits and Vegetables in Their Season. NOTICE TO SHIPPERS.— Kansas City has grown so rapidly during the past few years that it is now one of the great and profitable shipping points of the growing West. This city has a population of two hundred thousand people, and in addition, a very large floating population, which daily consumes a vast quantity of the early products of the South. Kansas City is undoubtedly the best distributing point in the whole West, having within a radius of sixty miles no less than eight cities, ranging in population from eight to forty thousand, which very largely draw their supplies from this market. Shipping Stencils and all desired information furnished upon application. °* BEFEREUCES = German American Bank, this city. Bradstreet's or Dun's Mercantile Agencies. P. M. Kiely & Co., St Louis. Chas. H. Schenck, New Orleans. [102] ESTABLISHED IN 1880. (•j. 5. LlEBHARDT COMMISSION Go IMPORTERS AND GROWERS, AGENTS FOR F6^EI6N ^ D6TOTIC EflaFFjS, 1524-1630 Holladay St. - DENYER, COL. 4. 3 3= IE C I .A. Xj T I IE S : tf< Apples, Oranges, Lemo?is, Cranberries, Bananas, Cali- fornia Green Fruit, Melons, Gmpes, Straw- berries and Szveet Potatoes. *^*(jL)e are the only house west of St. Louis that can handle our specialties with same promptness as they are handled in large Eastern markets, and the only house that can close out a car of Strawberries to advantage on arrival. CDRRESPDNMNCE SOLICITED PRIVATE TELEGRAPHIC CIPHER CODE, Stencil Plates, Price Currents, etc. free on application. [103] WILLIAM B. CURTH, Produce * fommission * Merchant AND WHOLESALE DEALER IN Foreign and Domestic Fruits, Butter, Eggs and Cheese, 807 Water Street, - - SANDUSKY, OHIO. I solicit consignments of Water Melons, Cantaloupes, Berries, Vegetables of all kinds, also all kinds of Dried and Fresh Fruit, Potatoes, Onions, Nuts. Butter, Eggs, Cheese, Poultry, etc. Send for Stencil and Market Quotations. Yours respectfully, WILLIAM B. CURTH. &of man's J^nrat Wortd. ESTABLISHED BY 1 CONDUCTED BY NORMAN J. COLMAN. 1$ CHALMER D. COLMAN. PTTBlilSHEU TXTEESLT. ONLY ONE DOLLAR A YEAR. r Jhe Rural World is the oldest Agricultural and HorticultnralJournal in the Mississippi Valley, and, upon comparison, will be found to be equal to the best. Send for a sample copy and see. It is the leading Horticultural Journal of the West, and publishes the cream of the current news in that department. For the stock raiser, horse breeder, wool grower and the general farmer, it publishes more and better information than any other paper. Sample copies free. Address, C. D. COLMAN, 705 Olive Street - ST. T.OU1&, MO [104] Sutliff Bros. GENERAL COMMISSION MERCHANTS CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA. SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO SOUTHERN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR WHICH WE HAVE A LONG SEASON HERE. Csnespondence Solicited.. W. S. McMAINS & CO., E?roduee (so/T\missior> CQer^baDts, — -And Wholesale Dealers in Fruits, Berries, Early Vegetables. Melons, Eggs, Butter Hides, Etc.. Etc., 403 Walnut Street, - - KANSAS CITY, MO. C National Bank of Co 1 Pacific Express Cor ( Commercial Agenci REFERENCES C National Bank of Commerce, Kansas City, Mo. BY \ Pacific Express Company. PERMISSION We solicit your consignments of Berries, Fruits, Water-Melons, Canta- loupes, New Potatoes and Tomatoes, and all other Vegetables, Etc. Send for Stencil and Market Quotations. Yours, very respectfully, W. S. McMAINS & CO^ [105] Established in 1866, (J 120 S. WATER STREET. SHIPPERS, and are fully satisfied we can serve you to advantage. Since the last issue of this book, we have been compelled to seek new quarters, and now have the whole of 159 South Water Street, 28x150, four stories high, well lighted and equipped with a full corps of trained employes, so that the personal advantages we offer are unsurpassed by any house in the bus- iness. The advantages of Chicago, as a market, are somewhat known to the fruit grower. We do not urge shipments to our market regardless of price, but we shall be pleased to answer correspondence at all times, and urge on all intending to ship, to obtain reliable information about this market before shipping, if possible. Stencils will be furnished free, and we will do all we can for the best interests of the shipper in the sale of Fruits and Vegetables. We refer, by permission, to the Agents of the Southern, Adams', Amer- ican and United States Express Companies; also to P. M. Kikly & Co. B-A.^^l^TEa?'x , beos., 159 South Water Street, .... CHICAGO. Agents for the FLGRSDA FRUIT EXCHANGE. [ 106 ] O-IEO. DAVIES, PRODUCE ^ COMMISSION MERCHANT, in Oi CD a) O o +-» PQ as a as 3 5 ° C CD CQ 3 CO CD CQ CD a o 3 CD w o THE STORE— Established 1870. SPECIALTY.— The most perishable kind of garden produce, such as Berries, Currants, Cherries, Peaches, Plums and Grapes. in car loads, or less. Bananas, Oranges, Lemons, Pineapples. Water-melons, Potatoes, Onions, Apples, Peas, Etc. 3° an 56 C