10 



disseminated. We inay have wandered somewhat from our point 

 as to oar own Botanical Gardens, but we must admit that bes : des 

 the valuable work of investigation which is outside the province 

 of the ordinary farmer and settler they have been the main 

 means of the dissemination, throughout the Eastern Province 

 especially, of nearly all the newer varieties of deciduous and 

 citrus fruits and also of seeds. Their great utility being of 

 course that they went into this matter at a, time when the public 

 would not support private enterprise or when private enterprise 

 concluded that such was the position. The fact remains that 

 Horticulture would not have been in the position it is in to-day in 

 this country, without the assistance of the Botanical Gardens 

 during its early struggles. Of course to-day private enterprise 

 has stepped in and has naturally absorbed the lion's share of the 

 business, but we have much pleasure in placing on record the 

 fact that good work has been done by these institutions at a time 

 when nobodv else cared to do it. 



PROSPECTS OF BUILDING UP AN AFRICAN FRUIT 



TRADE- 



Our belief in the possibilities of the Cape for an export trade 

 in fruit to Europe and America is well known to those interested 

 in fruit culture and Colonial development. This belief is abso- 

 lutely fixed ; nothing can shake it. It will take time to justify 

 it, but if it turns out otherwise than as we state, with the growers 

 rests the blame ; of that there can be no doubt, at all events in 

 our mind. 



With a full knowledge of our iinique position (a command of 

 the markets of the northern hemisphere during February, March 

 and April), we came to Africa now nine years ago. And the 

 result of our observation during that period has amply proved to 

 us, that we have the other necessary elements of success, i.e., that 

 we can grow good fruit of excellent quality, size, and flavour. 

 We therefore find an open and empty market in deciduous 

 fruits of a three months' duration in both Europe and America 

 awaiting us ; and we on our side know that, on much of our soil, 

 good fruit can be grown. The Government and private 

 individuals in places have stepped in, and have amply testified by 

 thorough and practical experiment tnat certain of our fruits, and 

 those almost entirely are the sorts desired in the several markets 

 open to us, can be successfully shipped to England. And there 

 remain only two points (and on the successful and satisfactory 

 solution of these two points the ultimate success of the Industry 

 depends) to be settled : firstly, a fair and reasonable basis of 

 freight charges with the Steamship Companies ; and, secondly, a 

 thorough system of distribution on the other side of the water, 



