1885.
—In 1885 the market showed a gratifying ability to absorb at profitable rates a good article, for prices ran: California common layers, $1.75 for wholes, $2.00 for halves, $2.25 for quarters. Briggs, wholes $2.00, with an advance of twenty-five cents on fractions. Blowers, $2.25 for wholes, with an advance of twenty-five cents on fractions.
1886.
—In 1886 quotations show that only extra choice Malagas were imported, and that, too, for a limited trade. Prices were: Malaga layers, $4.00 for wholes, $4.25 and $4.75 for halves and quarters. Valencia raisins, fifteen cents per pound. London layers, $3.00. California layers, wholes $1.75,—usual advance of twenty-five cents on fractions. Briggs, wholes $2.00, halves $2.25, etc. Blowers, wholes $2.25,—usual advance on fractions.
For 1886 the market is reviewed as follows: The past year has been the greatest for California dried fruit that the State has ever seen. There has been an increase in every item, and a specially heavy increase in the matter of raisins, the production of which has increased so fast that they have become a leading article of merchandise. Where we were large importers and generous consumers, more in proportion to our size than any one else in the world, we have almost totally ceased importation and are among the largest producers and exporters in the world, next to Spain itself. The total receipts of imported raisins at New York for the season of 1886-87 were as follows: 911,816 boxes of Valencias, 427,936 boxes of Malagas, 400 half boxes of Malagas, 88,657 boxes of Sultanas. The California pack is this year almost doubled, and shows great improvement in quality and packing.
1887.
—In October, 1887, prices were quoted as follows: London layers, per box, $2.00 to $2.25. Loose Muscatels, from $1.50 to $1.80.
Riverside, El Cajon and Fresno raisins of excellent quality are now in the market, and Butler and Forsyth raisins in Fresno begin to rival the very best imported brands. Many large packing-houses are established in Fresno, Riverside and El Cajon.
1888.
—The pack reaches in California 850,000 boxes, and the Fresno as well as the Riverside raisins are very large and choice. Forsyth and Butler raisins take the lead, some of the choicest layers bringing as high as one dollar per five-pound quarter box. Only 112,000 boxes of Malaga raisins are imported to the United States.