11 



whether in Europe or America. We have absolutely no doubt 

 that the former point, when the right time comes, will be 

 amicably and satisfactorily settled with the several Steamship 

 Companies, that time being when we can guarantee weekly 

 consignments of many thousand cases. In regard to the second ; 

 it is purely a business proposition, and how it is to be arranged 

 need not vforry us just yet. 



During a late visit to Europe we enquired from many 

 sources in the trade in England as to how they viewed the 

 prospects of getting fruit from South Africa ; and in each and 

 every instance the reply was the same. An empty market and 

 good stuff would be sure to bring good prices, and that the trade 

 would welcome such stuff as filling a much felt want. We also 

 had the advantage of having several conversations with Mr. W. 

 Fox Pickstone, Vice-President of the A Block Fruit Company,, 

 who manage some of the largest fruit export houses in California^ 

 and whose brand stands easily first in Covent Garden Market,, 

 in the Anglo-Californian Fruit Trade. He agreed that the 

 States offered a wide and open market for our fruits in February. 

 March and April, and provided the stuff was received in good 

 condition the prices realized must prove very satisfactory. 



As regards Australian Competition, we need not fear it* 

 They are unable to reach Covent G.arden until three weeks to 

 a month later than we can, and the increased distance and con- 

 sequently longer period of time in transit round prevent their 

 competing on equal terms, as regards price of freight and 

 condition on arrival, the two most important points, as mentioned 

 above. It may be, in fact probably will be, many years before 

 we shall offer any spirited resistance against Australia in apples r 

 as the plantations of this fruit necessary to attain this object have 

 not yet been set out, but when we have made up our minds 

 finally as to which districts in the Colony we can grow the best 

 quality of apples, and use that knowledge with the proper spirit 

 of enterprise, there is no reason why we should not compete 

 successfully here also. 



All those interested in the welfare of the Colony and its fruit 

 possibilities in particular will have been pleased to note that the 

 right spirit of enterprise has taken up the planting of commercial 

 orchards on sound practical business lines in many parts of the 

 Colony. Amongst others the Right Hon. Cecil Rhodes, who 

 is generally credited by both his friends and enemies with seeing 

 about as far into a brick wall as most people, has considered that 

 money invested in this direction will be for the ultimate benefit 

 of the Colony and himself. 



We have always considered that pears must be the basis on 

 which we must build up our Export Trade in fresh fruits, and 

 this opinion we find is shared in both England and America. 



Peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, and apples (the latter for a 

 long time to come) will always be accessory to pears. 



