General Notf'.s. 189 



There are some, however, who object to the use of strychnine for 

 poisoning s})arrows on account of its rapid action. The sparrows thus 

 poisoned die on the spot, and the otliers readily take the hint and do 

 not come near again. One who has destroyed them wholesale when 

 attacking the crops recommends the use of ])hosj)horised wheat, oats, 

 or barley. A portion of the land is rolled tiat on which the jioiscnied 

 grain is laid, and the sparrows eating it fly away and die at a distance, 

 so that their fellows do not see any evidence of the poisonous nature 

 of the food provided for them. 



Cape Fruit in London. 



Very considerable quantities of grapes have been despatched to 

 London from the Cape during the ])ast season, and have generallv 

 carried well. The bunches are packed in single layers in shallow 

 cases, about six inches in depth, fine wood shavings being used in 

 place of cork dust, as the fruit keej)s cleaner and looks better when 

 unpacked. 



The varieties are chiefly Haneroot, Raisin Blanc, and a kind of 

 Muscat — all white grapes. Some red varieties are exj)orted also, and 

 generally r^lise more than the white ones. The temperature at which 

 they are carried ranges from 36 to 40 degrees, and frequently on 

 arrival the bloom is found still upon the berries. The cases are made 

 of white pine, and are sent sejmrately, not cleated together, though 

 half-inch battens are nailed on each to provide for air circulation. 

 The capacity of the cases is about 18 lbs., and they realise from lOs. 

 to 13s. each. 



Pears are also sent, j)acked with wood shavings in single layers in 

 shallow cases, and are carried at the same temperature as grapes. 

 Williams' Bon Chretien are realising from 9s .to 12s. per dozen fruits. 

 Peaches, principally a good clingstone variety, are selling at the same 

 price. Kelsey plums carry well in the shallow cases, containing about 

 24 fruits each, and bring 5s. (id. to 8s. per case. By the time these 

 fruits arrive in London they may be said to have been packed for 

 three weeks, the voyage itself occupj'ing eighteen days. 



Fruit Transportation in America. 



In the ordinary method of fruit transportation iutlie United States 

 for long distances, at the ])resent time, refrigerator cars are used 

 exclusively. The Continental Fruit Express Company are owners of the 

 larger proportion of cars used in the fruit trade from California to 

 points beyond the Mississija, the Armour Company also being large 

 proprietors. These cars have compartments for ice in each corner, 

 capable of holding altogether about 6 tons of ice. The cars it may be 

 stated are very large, generally 36 feet in length. The ice is placed 

 into the boxes from the top of the car. Railroad agents at certain 

 points on the journey of 2,O0U to 3,000 miles, according to destination, 

 examine the ice chest and rejjlenish the ice when necessary. Immense 

 quantities of natural ice are collected in the Sierra Nevada and Rocky 



