162 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



Dried Fruits. 



Apricots are imported from California, the first arrivals coming in 

 December, being sent overland across the States in order to be in 

 time for the Christmas trade. These are subject to a duty of 7s. per 

 cwt. The fruit is packed in 25 lb. boxes, and realises generally about 

 from ;3;3s. to 70s. per cwt., according to quality. Present quotations for 

 the different grades, c.i.f., London, are : — Ordinary quality, 38s. to 

 88s. per cwt. ; medium, 40s. to 45s. ; fine, 48s. to 55s. The freight 

 from California to London is 6s. per cwt. During March last good 

 Califonian sold at 62s., and South Australian at 58s., a little im])rove- 

 ment taking ])lace in April when some Mildura made over 60s. The 

 trade in dried apricots is a comparatively new one in Great Britain, 

 and, although it has not yet assumed large dimensions, possibly on 

 account of the wide distribution of canned apricots, an increasing 

 demand exists for a first class article. It remains to be seen whether 

 good Mildura apricots will be able to compete with Californian, but if 

 shipments are mad^ it should only be of the finest grade fruit. 



Prunes are imported chiefly from the South of France, with some 

 also from California, arriving about the middle of October. The 

 quality is determined by the size and colour of the fruit. These are 

 also dutiable at the rate of 7s. per cwt. They are packed in half- 

 cases weighing 56 lbs. or quarter-cases of 28 lbs. I regard the Cali- 

 fornian prune as superior to the French, and in that country great 

 areas are placed under this fruit, in order to supply an enormous 

 demand for this article from the Eastern States. In the Goulburn 

 Valley, from what I saw in California, their varieties of the prune would 

 do well. The Californian crop of dried prunes reaches the enormous 

 total of 150,000,000 lbs., and the larger proportion is consumed in the 

 States, although a very considerable trade has been developed with 

 Europe. 



Peaches come from California, packed in 25 lb. boxes, and there is 

 no duty on them. Prices range about the same as for apricots, but so 

 far this fruit is in limited demand owing to the excellence of the 

 canned article. 



In Eaisins, Valencias sell at from 88s. to 40s. per cwt. ; fine, 48s. 

 to 50s. ; and choice, at 55s. to 75s. Prices are higher this season on 

 account of a short crop. Sultanas, ordinary, 40s. to 42s ; medium, 

 44s. to 46s. ; fine, 48s. to 50s. ; and choice, 55s. to 60s. Muscatels, 

 ordinary, 40s. to 50s. ; medium, 60s. to 65s.; fine, 85s. to 100s.; on 

 trays, 80s. to 110s. Duty, 7s. per cwt. 



Currants, Vostizza, the finest range from 21s. to 40s. per cwt. ; 

 other classes, from 13s. to 20s. The duty is 2s. per cwt. 



