746 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



is paid for putting together and trimming. The total cost delivered 

 at the orchard is from 54d. to 6d., while in Melbourne it is lO^d. 

 The mills cut and deliver the stuff at Hobart in the flat in proper 

 lengths for 4d. and 4^d. a case, and there is no reason why a similar 

 practice should not be adopted in this State. We have timber 

 equally well adapted for the purpose, and facilities for obtaining the 

 same, and a saving of 4d. or 5d. a case is well worthy of considera- 

 tion by our orchardists. It is proposed to make enquiries at the 

 mills when time permits, to see if this cannot be accomplished. 



The keen competition which may be expected in the export of fruit 

 necessitates economy at every point. I do not think that this State 

 ha? anything to fear from competition, but every care should be 

 taken to keep up the standard, as by that means only can we expect 

 to succeed. In my opinion, Tasmania will require to alter her 

 methods, which appear somewhat careless, the tendency is to go in for 

 quantity rather than quality. 



System of Loading. 



I was interested in the method of loading the fruit, and during 

 my visit there I was fortunate in seeing two large vessels taking 

 fruit on board. I could not help noticing the careful way in which 

 the cases were handled ; the cases of fruit are placed in barred 

 slings and no pressure is brought to bear on the sides of the cases, 

 as, unfortunately, is the case when loading here. Twelve cases are 

 packed on two bars, the ropes are fastened to each end, and the 

 weight of the cases is on the bars alone, but I am informed that the 

 mail companies have a much more objectionable system and that the 

 cases are placed in nets in large numbers, and a case was shown to me 

 in which the sides were staved in by the pressure of the adjoining 

 case, but the company still insist on loading in that form. 



The only objectionable feature observed in loading the fruit, was 

 that though the fruit was being lowered most carefully, the steve- 

 dores below tramped over the sides of the cases in travelling to and 

 fro with a heavy case in their arms, there were no planks or other 

 protection, they simMy walked on the cases. No doubt this largely 

 contributes to the occasional damage we hear of in rejDorts of the 

 condition of fruit when landed in London. A few planks laid down 

 would obviate all this, and it is somewhat surprising that the shippers 

 have not been able to secure such a needed reform. I think this is 

 worthy of special attention, as the practice is carried on in this port, 

 and with the soft wood cases such as ours, the damage must be 

 considerable. 



Method of Marketing. 



The export of fruit in Tasmania has been fostered chiefly by two 

 firms in Hobart, which secure the space from the shipping companies, 

 hence the shipments have to pass through their hands. Many of the 

 sheds referred to along the banks of the rivers are owned by them, and 

 the fruit is purchased direct from the growers, and packed and 



