Sladden & Son, of Eugene, Oregon, have a bearing prune orchard of 2,500 trees, in which they take much pride. For some time past this firm has sold all the evaporated fruit from this orchard for 10 and 12 cents per pound, and this year they have received orders for 16 car loads more than thay they can furnish. For this entire amount they would have received 12 cents per pound. These figures, being considerately above the average prices paid for such goods, have lately elicited much comment and inquiry, the outcome of which has been the ascertaining of the methods adopted by these men in the evaporating of their fruits. Their practices are entirely different from those usually followed. They use no lye to eat the skin so that drying will be facilitated ; they use no sulphur ; they have no sweating process. They simply put the prunes into the dryer for 12-18 hours, with a rapidly circulating current of air at 1500 F.; then put them into barrels, cover them to exclude dust and keep flies out. The prunes are left in the barrel for about six weeks, and then they are put into five and ten pound boxes, neatly packed, wrapped and labeled. In this condition, Messrs. Sladden say they have known their fruit to keep for three years and be in just as good condition as when first packed.

Certain it is, that samples shown the writer, said to have been put up in this manner, have a delicious fruity odor, are sweet, juicy and bright. - E. R. Lake, Oregon.