254 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jff/r. 2, 1908. 



Export of Oranges, 1907. 



w. J. alt;i:x. 



In July the Minister approved <»t <uir ,seii(4iiiy a few cases of oranges and 

 lemons to London, Vancouver, and Seattle, in (uder to again test the carrying 

 quality of our fruit, and the prices to be obtained in the different markets; 

 as also to ascertain Avhether or not thev would land in good conditinn, and 

 if there would be any difficulty about landing our clean fruit at any of these 

 ports. 



It may be claimed by some that we did not send large shipments, but our 

 reason for going slowly was to find out, 1st, whether our fruit wf>uld carry 

 well; l2nd, whether there would be anv diflicultv in landing it; 3rd, the 

 price it would command; and, ith, the total cost of landing and selling fruit 

 per case. 



The varieties under test were (to London) — 



Washington Xavels. l^lood. 



Valencia Late. Joppa. 



Mediterranean Sweets. Lisbon Lemons. 



(To Vancouver) — 



Mediterranean Sweets. Lisbon Lemons. 



Valencia Late. 



(To Seattle)— 



Valencia Late Oranges. Lisbon Lemons. 



&izes oj Oranges and Lemons. — A few of the Valencia Lates were 2a inches 

 in diameter, but the majority of the oranges were 3 inches, while the Wash- 

 ington Navels went 3^ inches in diameter. Most of the lemons were 2| inches 

 in diameter, but a few cases measured 2J inches. 



The fruit was all evenly graded, wrapped and packed in bushel cases 

 having centre divisions. These cases hold ;il»oiit two-thirds as much as tlu- 

 American cases, and the Vancouver Agent reported that the fruit would have 

 sold better if we had put it up in the standard sized Canadian case. The 

 Seattle Agent made no complaint about the case, but if large consignments 

 were sent, I do not doubt but that they would prefer having them packed 

 in their standard-sized cases. In nearly every case they complain that our 

 shipment was a little late. My reason for shipping late was to try and put 

 the Valencia Late orange in the different markets in as ripe a condition as 

 possible, as this variety is rather sour when it first colours, and requires to 

 hang for a while before it is at all sweet. However, there would be no troub'e 

 in sending citrus fruits from here so that they would land in either London 

 or America at the time when they would be found most acceptable for the 

 trade. In looking over the different items of cost, it will be seen that outside 



