lo Oct. 1908.] The Apple Export Trade, Season 1908. 



633 



apple as each differs so much in size and general appearance. If a general 

 standard were fixed, however, this question might be left to the decision 

 of the inspecting ofiicer. The contention raised that too many small lines 

 are sent, thus causing a multiplicity of brands, seems to be a sound and 

 reasonable one, and is another argument in favour of co-operative, or, at 

 least, united action on the part of the exporters. 



A deal of harm has undoubtedly been done to the trade, especially 

 in Germany, by certain of the States permitting the marking of diseased 

 apples as such. This practice has not been carried out in any instance 

 in this State ; but where consignments have been found unfit for export 

 the exporter has been prevented from sending them away as he has beten 

 compelled to adhere to the declaration embodied in the " Notice of Inten- 

 tion " to ship goods which he must forward to the inspectojr prior to 

 shipment of such goods. This declaration sets out that the goods are 

 sound. Under the Commerce Act Regulations " soundness " in relation 

 to fruit means freedom from disease and the exporter renders himself liable 

 to be proceeded against under the provisions of the Customs and Commerce 

 Act if he presents diseased fruit for examination. 



A list of the prices obtained for different varieties of apples and pears 

 during various periods of the season is published on the opposite page. 



Those boats which sailed almost at the same time for the English and 

 Continental ports have been selected as affording a comparison of the 

 prices ruling in the different markets during the same period. In season 

 1907 the prices obtained in Germany were in advance of those obtained 

 in Great Britain {vide Journal, December, 1907, page 745). This yeiar, 

 however, there was no marked difference between the two markets, but the 

 prices which ruled in hoth are much below the average prices obtained last 

 year. 



The most striking feature in these lists, and one which would arrest 

 the attention of even a casual observer, is the wide variety of apples 

 shipped by each boat, especially bv those boats which sailed in the earlier 

 portion of the season. This, as the figures themselves show, is a mistake, 

 because it will be noticed that a few of the better-known favourite varieties 

 almost always command the highest prices. This seems to indicate that 

 the growing of varieties for export should be made a specialty. 



It would appear, after careful consideration of all the circumstances 

 connected with the matter of last year's failure, that the exporters have 

 a " hard row to hoe " before the trade can be established on a satisfactory 

 footing. We have the example of America before us, however, to show 

 that this is possible. As has been pointed out in previous issues of this 

 Journal, there are so many factors having a direct influence on the problem 

 of establishing our fruit export trade on a satisfactory basis that nothing 

 short of combined sustained and determined action on the part of the 

 growers and exporters will afford a solution. One thing seems certain, 

 help can only come from themselves as nothing can be expected in the way 

 of assistance from either brokers, agents or dealers at the other end 



