S.A. Deied Grapes for the United States. 463 



marks were South African ones. Other boxes from South Africa with 

 " Steen " on the printed hibels, had " Hermitage " stencilled over 

 the word " Steen." The actual contents were Hermitage with a 

 little Steen and some red grapes. This ma Ives a bad impression and 

 destroys confidence in our product, which is both undesirable and 

 unnecessary. Besides, where the competition is so keen, things like 

 these only tend to reduce prices. 



As to packing, mention must be made of the variety of shippers' 

 marks. Some agents' notes of shipments of a few thousand boxes 

 and some of the indiv]dual consignments were as follows, all included 

 in the one lot:— 4, 24, 28, 36, 32, 160, 26 and 4. These came from 

 various growers, and certainly entailed the additional expenses con- 

 nected with the handling of such small lots. The sug-gestion has 

 been put forward that we should ship under one brand only. If 

 we had different grades we might have more brands, but there is 

 no necessity for that as our grading need be for condition and colour 

 only. Size of grapes does not enter into the matter. This suggestion 

 is sound. If the diied grape business could be conducted co-opera- 

 tively there shotild be no difiiculty in fixing an attractive label oi' 

 brand and constituting an organization for shipment ensuring irni- 

 formity in the exported product. This would be a legitimate and 

 essential part of the proper distribution of Sotith African grapes. 

 The best methods of utilizing and marketiug the prodtice of our vine- 

 yards have to be studied, and we are likely to have better correlation 

 if all the various outlets were concentrated under one organization. 

 The Government grading* is, of course, of no value to the receiving 

 trade, as the condition on arrival is what counts : it is a protection 

 against shippers sending bad stuff from Capetown. 



The price is difficult to estimate, but most are agj^^ed that we 

 could depend on getting about 13 cents in New York duty paid. This 

 would be equivalent to about 9 cents f.o.b. Capetown, or, if the duty 

 is increased under the new tariff, a little less, approximately 4d. pei' 

 1 lb. in boxes. One cannot definitely say of cotirse what next year's 

 market will be; but the above is indicated. 



Probably as important a point as any is the selling organization 

 oversea. It is useless to have half a dozen brokers and selling 

 agents all working at the same time to dispose of our grapes. Such 

 a procedure can have no other than a depressing effect on prices. 

 The article must have one or two, preferably one, distributing 

 agencies to handle the whole outptit. In other words, apply the same 

 principle adopted in the motor business in South Africa, and have 

 our accredited agent or agents. If there are more than one they 

 must be kept completely advised of shipments en route to a^oid 

 dumping on the market; a very large number of boxes would also 

 probably be sold while the raisins were still afloat. 



The Journal aims at keeping farmers informed of what the 

 Department of Agriculture is doing, also of such matters affecting 

 their interests as come under its purview. The Journal contains 

 original articles for the guidance of the farmer on the many and 

 diverse problems which face him. Every farmer should lead it and 

 keep it. 



