i6 



fruits in February, March and April, and provided the stuff was 

 received in good condition the prices realised must prove very 

 satisfactory. 



As regards Australian competition, we need not fear it. 

 They are unable to reach Covent Garden until three weeks to a 

 month later than we can, and the increased distance and conse- 

 quently longer period of time in transit would prevent their com- 

 peting on equal terms, as regards price of freight and condition 

 on arrival, these being the two most important points, as men- 

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

 before we shall offer any spirited resistance against Australia in 

 apples, as the plantations of this fruit necessary to attain this 

 object are only now in a few instances being set out, but when 

 we have made up our minds finally as to which districts within 

 the Union 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. 



A few lines on the possible competition which may spring 

 up in the near future from the Argentine will probably interest 

 readers. 



Personally we feel no cause for anxiety. We are satisfied 

 that good fruit can be grown in many parts of the Argentine 

 Republic, the writer's brother. Mr. Horace Pickstone. having 

 gone over there some ten years ago to study the possibilities of 

 the trade on the spot. 



They, however, have practically the same difficulties, with 

 diseases, pests, etc., that we have here; then, again, there is an 

 entire lack of knowledge on the part of most of the growers, and 

 further the proper sorts in most instances are not yet planted, and 

 further it is impossible that their growing condition can be better 

 for developing carrying qualities than ours are here. It is an 

 established fact now in the trade in Europe and America that 

 our fruit has certain qualities which tend to make it an excellent 

 carrier. 



However 5 , it is in every way desirable, as we have now seen 

 for some years, to keep a careful eye on what this country is 

 doing. 



All those interested in the welfare of South Africa, and its 

 fruit possibilities in particular, will have been pleased to note that 

 the right spirit of enterprise has taken up the planting of com- 

 mercial orchards on sound practical business lines in many parts. 

 Amongst others the late Right Hon. Cecil Rhodes, who was 

 generally credited' by both his friends and enemies with seeing 

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

 money invested in this direction would be for the ultimate benefit 

 of South Africa and of himself, the result of his enterprise being 

 freely recognised now as successful, and under the style of the 



