10 April, 1916.] 



Apple Drying. 



197 



for in the past but little has been done to turn this class of fruit 

 to profit. 



Should fruit production increase at the same ratio for the next ten 

 years as it did during the past decade, it is obvious that, after the 

 war, strenuous efforts must be made to find new export markets, as 

 well as to hold those already exploited ; for it is only by the judicious 

 manipulation of our exportable fresh fruits that we can expect to main- 

 tain our position as a fruit-growing State. The stimulation of Inter-State 

 and local fruit trade is also desirable, and particularly in the interest 

 of small growers who do not export. 



In order to show clearly the number of fruit-growers, area under 

 orchards, and the quantity of fruit produced in Victoria during the years 

 1906-15, the following table, and note under same, have been taken 

 from the Victorian T tar-Book 1914-1915: — 



Orchards Growing Fruit for Sale. 1905-6 to 1914-15. 



The area under orchards growing fruit for sale increased steadily from 

 5.800 acres in 1872-3 to 10,048 in 1882-3. 31.370 in 1892-3. 14.502 in 

 1902-3, 59.119 in 1912-13, and 70,392 acres in 1914-15— which is tlie 

 largest area recorded. 



