European Markets for Oregon Fruits. 121 



gium, then the United States. It will be observed, however, that the 

 countries immediately surrounding Germany are the ones producing the 

 imported fruits for Germany's consumption. 



pears. 



In pears, the total importation into Germany is between two and 

 three million biishels, mostly from Austria-Hungary, with very few 

 from the United States. 



With its Population of 56,000,000 of people, Germany, for instance, 

 consumes 10,000,000 busheis of apples raised in other countries, while 

 the United States secures a trade there not to exceed half a million 

 busheis. There is no question whatever as to the possibilities of extend- 

 ing the market for good Oregon apples to a wonderful extent in Ger- 

 many. The great bulk of the apples imported into Germany is what 

 we call culls on the Pacific Coast. Immatures, unripe, ill-shapen, scabby 

 and small apples and pears are to be found in all of the principal eitles of 

 Germany in the fruit Stands and peddling carts. It is quite a surprise to 

 See well-to-do people purchasing this fruit, and consuming it. Immense 

 quantities of what we know as the French prune are marketed in the 

 green state in a miserable dirty condition. If Oregon apples were put 

 upon the German market at a price that would be very satisfactory to 

 the growers, under a well organized and extensive System of marketing 

 at a price within the ränge of even the ordinarily well-to-do people of 

 Germany there is no doubt as to the expansion of our trade. The vast 

 majority of apples consumed in Germany are grown in Italy and Austria- 

 Hungary. I am not familiär with the condition of production in Italy, 

 but the apples produced in Austria-Hungary are grown in a most desul- 

 tory fashion. The apple trees are mostly old trees, and almost entirely 

 uncultivated. They are grown along the highways mostly and bordering 

 the fields, and where they are grown in the fields they are scattered about 

 in a very irregulär way and are gro^\^l on very tall trees with cattle and 

 stock of different kinds grazing beneath the fruit. Apples grown in 

 Germany are also produced in the sarr.e careless way. Apples are merely 

 and adjunct to the other farming, and are not grown or marketed with 

 care, skill, or systematic method. 



Germany has the appearance of the most thrifty, industrious, and 

 prosperous country of Europe. It is certainly extremely progressive, 

 and developing in a most substantial way. All of the conditions would 

 seem to indicate that it is one of the best foreign markets to be culti- 

 vated, especially for our apples. 



According to sections 47 and 48 of the German customs tarifF, the 

 Import duties per 100 kilos (220.4 Ibs.) upon fresh and dried fruits 

 imported from the United States and other countries at present enjoying 

 the minimum rates are as follows: 



fresh fruit — APPLES, PEARS, QUINCES. 



(1) Unpacked— From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 Free 



From Dec. 1 to Aug. 31, M. 2, 220 Ibs 48 cents 



(2) Packed— 



(a) By mail in packages of 5 kilograms (11.02 Ibs.) or 



less, gross weight Free 



(b) In sacks weighing at least 50 kilos (110.231 Ibs.) 



gross weight — From Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 Free 



From Dec. 1 to Aug. 31, M. 2, 220 Ibs 48 cents 



(c) In other packing — 



In Single covering M. 3.20. 220 Ibs 76 cents 



In more than one cover. M. 5, 220 Ibs $1.19 



Apricots ..Free 



