8 Feb., 1908.] Packing Fruit for Export. 67 



United Kingdom for foreign-grown fruit is ever on the increase. Tliat 

 this is so is shown by the following figures : — 



Years. Values. 



1845 ... ... ... ... ^886,888 



1865 ^3^185-984 



T885 ... ^7.587v^-'3 



1905 ... ... ... ... ^9,983,119 



When it is remembered that the above figures do not include the im- 

 portations into foreign countries some idea may be gathered of what ma\ 

 yet be done by the growers of this State towards sharing in this enormous 

 trade. That our opportunity is all the more inviting is shown by the fact 

 that nearly the whole of the supplies of the foreign-grown fruit is draw-n 

 from the Northern Hemisphere ; also that at the time of the vear when 

 we are forwarding our shipments the markets are comparatively bare. To 

 grasp and to hold that opportunity certain conditions must be ob.served : — • 

 Economy in production, honest packing of high-grade fruit, cheap regular 

 and invariable oversea carriage and businesslike supervision and control 

 of output at each centre of distribution. And not the least of these con- 

 ditions is : — Honest packing of high-grade fruits. 



Varieties. 



In selecting varieties for export it will be better for the intending 

 shipper to confine himself to not more than five or six varieties at most. 

 It is preferable to work up a reputation on two or three standard varieties 

 which are in constant demand than to spend much time, effort and cash in 

 pushing varieties about which little or nothing is known bv the trade or 

 the consumer. 



The three varieties mostly sent from this State, and from which the 

 best all-round results have been gained, are : — Jonathan, Cleopatra (or Xew 

 York Pippin) and Munroe's Favourite (or Dunn's Seedling). The three other 

 varieties that may be recommended, judging from the results of the la^^t 

 ten vears, could be selected from London Pii)})in (or Five Crown), States- 

 man (or Chandler). Rome Beauty, Xewtown Pippin, Esopus Spitzenberg 

 and Ribston Pippin. There are, of course, other good varieties suitable 

 for export, such as Rymer, Baldwin, Ben Davis, Bismarck, King of 

 Pippins, Prince of Pippins, Scarlet Nonpareil, Annie Elizabeth, King of 

 Tomkin's Countv, Stone Pippin. Adam's Pearmain, Dumelow's Seedling, 

 Winter Strawberr\ , Kentucky Red Streak, Crow's Egg (or Late Wine), 

 Reinette de Canada, Cox's Orange Pippin, Nickajack and Sturmer Pippin. 

 The later varieties just enumerated, have all stood the test of some years' 

 experience. Thev are all good carriers, but, judging by past results, pro- 

 fitable returns cannot be so uniformh- relied upon as in the case of the 

 first half-dozen sorts. Another point to be considered bv the intending 

 snipper is the suitabilitv of these varieties for each market. Judging from 

 returns received, Continental consumers do not take kindly to the sweeter 

 varieties. The failure of the Rome Beauty to secure higher prices last 

 season has been put down to this; but Jonathan, Cleopatra. London Pippin 

 and ]Munroe's Favourite scored very well. Some apples although suitable 

 for export, should preferably be sent to ports not too far distant , Adam's 

 Pearmain is oue of these and for that reason has been mostly shipped to 

 such countries as Cape Colony, India, &c. 



With regard to pears, the varieties mostly sent are Vicar of Winkfield, 

 L'Inconnue, Winter Nelis, Josephine de Malines, Broom Park, Eyewood 

 and Uvedale's St. Germain. Other varieties have been sent and have 



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