198 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 April, 1916. 



The following table, and note under it, also taken from the Victorian 

 Tear-Book, shows the quantity of dried fruits produced in this State 

 during the years 1905-6 to 1914-15, and for 1895-6 to 1902-3 respec- 

 tively : — 



Dried Fruits, 1905-6 to 1914-15. 



Year ended 

 June. 



1906 

 1907 

 1908 

 1909 

 1910 

 1911 

 1912 

 1913 

 1914 

 1915 



lbs. 



8,077 

 30,322 

 ] 7,422 

 31,819 

 16,502 

 38,633 



7,900 

 55,581 



Total. 



lbs. 

 338,173 

 398,405 

 392,711 

 437,555 

 811,935 

 5(>6,200 

 777,011 

 316,429 

 717,52 

 247,670 



The quantity of dried fruit (weight after drying) was for the first 

 time collected in 1895-6, when 179,460 lbs. were returned, and it 

 increased to 636,294 lbs. in 1900-1 ; after which date the quantity, 

 principally by reason of a reduction in apriocts, declined to 306,603 lbs. 

 in 1902-3. In 1909-10, the maximum production — 811,935 lbs. — was 

 recorded. In 1914-15. the production was 247,670 lbs., which was the 

 lowest return since 1896-7. 



The table below, taken from the Commonwealth Tear-Book, shows 

 the Commonwealth imports and exports of dried fruits, also net imports 

 over exports for the years 1901-13 : — 



Commonwealth Oversea Imports and Exports of Dried Fruits, 

 1901, AND 1909 TO 1913. 



In 1901, the net value of the Commonwealth imports over exports 

 of dried fruit was £165,099; but it came down to £33,901 in 1912, and 

 went up again to £80,340 in 1913, the last year recorded. 



There is no reason why the Commonwealth should not produce 

 almost all the varieties of dried fruits required for home consumption, 

 and also have a substantial surplus for export as well. 



