South African Horticulture. 



343 



But against this the imports show that there is still scope for 

 enormous expansion in preserving, and that there is also considerable 

 import of fresh fruit still going on, viz. (Cape Colony, 1904) : — 



£94,984 



while each of the other Colonies shows a similar tale. 



The production of dried fruit in Cape Colony is, according to 

 1904 census : — 



The Natal fruit product is mostly of coast fruits, such as 

 oranges, naartjes, bananas, pineapples, etc., and may value somewhat 

 over ^150,000 per annum, according to present methods of sale, or 

 much more if graded, clear of pests, and properly handled. 



But the import of fruit, either fresh or preserved, has been quite 

 as much during each recent year. 



Cape fruit growers have two local boards, the Western Province 

 Horticultural Board and the Eastern Province Horticultural Board, 

 with a congress occasionally ; at all these meetings the discussion of 

 horticultural subjects takes second place to bringing pressure to bear 

 on the Government to do for growers much of what by co-operation 

 they ought to do for themselves. The Cape Fruit Exporters' Union 

 takes practical action, co-operative local sale depots have begun to 



