NOTES AND COMMENTS. 



new strawberry from Somerset County, 

 Maryland and was originated by Mr. O. 

 Johnson, from seedling of Crescent and 

 Hoffman. It is said to be as productive 

 as Crescent and as early as Michell. 



Encouraging to Canadian Ship- 

 pers. The Fruit Grower in a recent issue 

 says : We have received some samples 

 of Maiden's Blush apples and Williams 

 (Bartlett) pears which formed part of 

 the late shipment of Canadian fruit sold 

 in Covent Garden. 



From the specimen to hand it is clear 

 that there is a big opening for these 

 Canadian fruits, and that they will with 

 careful shipment, packing and distribu- 

 tion secure ready sales at good prices. 

 We are much impressed with the quality, 

 that is the size, color, and flavor of the 

 fruits, and we shall take an early oppor- 

 tunity of dealing with them and this 

 branch of the trade in an early issue. 

 The Canadian growers and shippers 

 may face the future development of 

 their export fruit trade with the greatest 

 confidence. 



In pears, the California samples, 

 Beurre Hardy, in cases of 60 to a case, 

 sold from 7s. 6d. to 8s. 6d. each ; these 

 fruits were fine, as may be gauged when 

 we state that many of them have befen 

 retailed at 3s. and 4s. per dozen fruits ; 

 Clairgeaus sold from 6s. to 7s. 6d. per 

 four dozen count, and Duchess from 

 5s. to 6s. ; these contained the same 

 quantity as the Clairgeaus. 



In plums, California made from 7s. 

 to 8s. per twenty pound net. Some of 

 these have been retailed at 2s. a dozen 

 fruits. Golden Drops went out from 6s. 

 to 7 s. 



Beurre Hardy. — Speaking of this 

 pear in England, the same authority 

 says : — This is a fine variety of pear and 



one which may be raised with the 

 utmost confidence. In the fruit shops 

 at the present time it is well to the fore, 

 though the major portion of the fruits 

 thus exhibited have been sent us from 

 California. It is a large pear, oblong, 

 obovate in shape, it has a fine appear- 

 ance, and is well suited for market 

 work ; it is at its best in October. The 

 quality of this pear is beyond dispute, 

 for it is unique in its way, and the flesh 

 possesses a very marked perfume. Why 

 it has not been raised in this country in 

 sufficient quantities to satisfy the mar- 

 ket need is a mystery. Possibly its 

 claims have not been brought home 

 clearly to the majority of growers. What- 

 ever the cause may be there can be no 

 doubt as to the quality and suitability 

 of this fine pear for commercial pur- 

 poses. We should not hesitate our- 

 selves even to make its production a 

 special feature, for when well grown it is 

 a pear from which money can be made. 

 The skin is yellowish green, but it car- 

 ries a lot of russet markings on it, and it 

 is this which makes it a conspicuous 

 fruit whenever it is on show. It is an 

 admirable all-round pear, particularly 

 suitable for sale amongst the best class 

 of buyers. 



Coes' Golden Drop is also com- 

 mended as one of the best plums for 

 the London market ; and it is stated 

 that this plum has been sold in the 

 English fruit shops at is. Id. or about 

 36 cents a dozen. These were from 

 California, large, well colored, and in 

 excellent condition. 



Fruit Growing in Natal is be- 

 coming an important industry. It is 

 said that the road from Durban to Pieter- 

 maritzburg is lined with numerous fruit 

 plantations. The district of Malvern, 

 nine miles from Durban has soil and 



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