i8 



the trade are processed and boxed or tinned as may be required 

 by the dealers. 



The operations of this Company have met with great suc- 

 cess, and have proved of enormous value to the planters and also 

 to the trade. The principal benefit to the former is derived^from 

 the fact that every single pound of dried fruit, no matter of what 

 variety and no matter of what quality, is accepted from share- 

 holders, the Company taking all responsibilities of storage and 

 of sale. 



The trade benefit mainly in the fact that they can secure 

 from the Company their needs as their stocks get depleted month 

 by month as the several lines go into consumption, and at almost 

 a level price year to year. This fact enormously increases the 

 demand and eminently assists the farmer, nothing being more 

 fatal to the best interests of the farmer producer than the heavily 

 fluctuating prices formerly current. Look at wine -- 10 per 

 leaguer during 1914, 2 IDS. per leaguer during 1915. These 

 fluctuations necessarily destroy all enterprise, and it was to pre- 

 vent such a possibility in dried fruits that this very successful 

 f armerS' co-operative company was formed about eight years ago. 



Large quantities of apricots of the most suitable varieties are 

 being annually planted out, mainly in the Western Province, and 

 a very high quality of dried apricot is now produced. There 

 need be no fear of our ability to compete in Europe with the 

 Californian article as soon as our supply exceeds the South 

 African demand. 



Increasing quantities of dried pears are now also being each 

 year produced. The pears containing a codlin moth and those 

 rejected for export are the ones mainly used for this purpose. 



Apple rings are also in heavy demand, the supply at present 

 being far short of our requirements ; importations at present are 

 received from California, Canada and Australia. In a few years 

 however we shall undoubtedly be able to supply our own needs. 

 The period taken to bring about this result would be very much 

 shortened if a good design for a small evaporator could be 

 secured, one simple in construction and moderate in price. Enor- 

 mous quantities of apples very suitable for making rings are 

 annually wasted, especially on isolated farms in the Free State 

 and in the Transvaal through the fact that the owner has no 

 facilities for saving this fruit. Over most of the high veldt sun- 

 drying is often impossible owing to wet and cloudy weather, and 

 a suitable farm evaporator is essential to make apple growing 

 under these conditions the success it undoubtedly should be. It 

 is to be sincerely hoped that in the very near future such an one 

 will be procurable. We are satisfied it is an urgent need. We 



