FRUIT-GROWING 99 



used, which can be landed at a wharf a mile away, 

 and a certain amount of artificial manure is used. 



FRUIT-GROWING IN CONNECTION WITH SMALL 

 HOLDINGS. 



I was informed that the price of fruit has fallen 

 considerably since fruit-growing was first started 

 to any extent, and that it was not possible now to 

 realize the prices that the pioneers of the industry 

 obtained. Judging from the prosperous look of the 

 holdings, the high rate of rent and wages paid, and 

 the fact that every cottage garden and allotment 

 is largely planted with bush fruits, one can only 

 surmise that it is still a profitable occupation. 



As the argument is often put forward that fruit- 

 growing is too risky and uncertain in the English 

 climate to be a suitable occupation for small men 

 with no capital to fall back on in a bad season, I 

 made particular inquiries as to the experience of 

 these fruit-growers on this point. The general 

 opinion expressed was that, while one or other of 

 the various crops was sure to be a failure in any 

 one season, there was never an entire failure of 

 every kind of fruit, and that an average return from 

 any one crop was sufficient to pay their way. With 

 a knowledge of the risk incurred, the larger profits 

 from a good season were always looked upon as a 

 security against the possible bad ones in the future. 



It must, however, be remembered that in this 

 particular locality late frosts, the bane of fruit- 

 growers, are not felt to any great extent. 



72 



