750 Journal of Agriculture , Y'iciorui. [lo Nov., 1911. 



larger scale in the future. IMums may be .shii)ped with as much safety 

 as apples and pears, provided all thr cdiiditions mentioned in the preced- 

 ing paragraphs are carried out. 



Grapes. — One or two small shipments of grapes were made during 

 the season ; but the weather conditions were sO' exceptionally unfavourable 

 for harvesting grapes that the fruit did not arrive in such good condition 

 as it may have done during a normal season. The packing of the bunches 

 in unsuitable cork dust also had a detrimental effect upon the keeping 

 qualities of the fruit. The Agent-General reports that if grapes are care- 

 fully selected and packed in proper manner they may always be expected 

 to bring good prices on the London market. A small shipment of twelve 

 ca.ses of the Doradillo and Waltham Cross varieties was sent to Vancouver 

 last February and realized 20s. per case all round. 



Quinces. — Small consignments of quinces brought excellent prices in 

 London, and it would appear fronii advices that a fairly good market 

 exists for this fruit in the United Kingdom. 



Extension of Season. — During past years the first shipments have been 

 carried by the P. and O. Company in the steamer which leaves during the 

 lasit week in February. The 1911 season, however, opened a fortnight 

 before the usual time and shipments were carried by the Armadale, 

 Somerset, and Oroutes before the Macedonia of the P. and O. lin- sailed 

 on the 28th February. 



Thr prices obtained for the shipments by the three boats mentioned 

 were very satisfactory. This may be attributed to two causes, namely, 

 the early arrival of the fruit on the markets when fruit was scarce; 

 and the carriage of fruit at temperatures approaching more nearly the 

 proper temperatures at which fruit should be carried ; the temperature 

 oil the Armadale was 35 degs. ; the Somerset. 30 clegs. ; and the Orontes, 

 ?,S to 38 degs. 



The shipping of fruit much later than ordinarily has proved anything 

 but a profitable venture. In many instances, it arrived in bad condition, 

 and landed on markets glutted by soft fruits from the Continent and other 

 places. In fact, some of the leading firms have been so impres.sed with 

 the fallacv of forwarding shipments which arrive after the middle of 

 June that they have issued notices warning shippers against repeating the 

 experiment in the future. These notices state that, from the 15th April 

 to the end of May, London may take large quantities of apples a,nd 

 pears ; but from the time that strawberries and other soft fruits arrive 

 on the market, prices drop immediately. A glance at the prices obtained 

 for the Mooltan shipment ("which has been selected as a representative 

 late boat) confirms these statements. 



Quantity. — The advance in the total quantities shipped for this season 

 over previous seasons furnishes a record. The following are the figures 

 for 79 TO and 19 11 : — 



iQio ... ... ... 162,144 cases | igii ... ... ... 207,443 cases. 



The use of cases manufactured from the nafive hardwoods is still on 

 the increase. The quantities of each for the seasons 1909, 1910, and 191 1 

 are as follow : — 



Year. Hardwoofi. Softwood. 



