are repeatedly being asked to recommend such an one from all 

 parts of the Union. 



3 for the export of dried fruit, we must always remember 

 that we come into direct competition with the whole of the world 

 in the English market. The other markets of Europe and 

 America are either protected by a heavy duty or are heavily sup- 

 plied with home product, in regard to the English market for 

 dried fruit it is increasing in value annually as the prices come 

 down and the consumption is extended we have here, conjointly 

 with Australia, the advantage of putting our crop of fresh fruit 

 into the market on the top of the tail end of the European one 

 of the year before, which is to a certain extent an advantage, but 

 there is no doubt that the demand will always in England be 

 ruled by the price, no matter from whatsoever country the fruit 

 may come, and we should put this roughly at 6d. per Ib. in apri- 

 prunes and pears, in good grades. Personally, we think 

 we can do good business and make money at this figure, as we 

 can utilise land which is now lying idle and bringing in absolutely 

 nothing for raising drying fruit, whereas if we take one of our 

 competitors in dried fruit on the English market, California to 

 wit, which has already successfully catered this market, we know 

 that growers there must pay 20 per acre and upwards for the 

 land which grows such product. Therefore, if growers only rise 

 to the value of their opportunities, we claim that they will make 

 a very fair name for themselves, and bring a good deal of money 

 into the country by taking this branch of the fruit trade in the 

 right spirit. We may add that there is very little demand for 

 dried peaches in England. 



Our opening statement will, we feel satisfied, be borne out 

 by our later experience in this branch of the trade. Our best 

 market will be a home one for years to come. There is no more 

 portable commodity, and none more palatable, than dried fruit 

 of good quality, and the fault is ours if it does not take an im- 

 portant place in the mining camps and prospecting kits through- 

 out the Northern Territories. 



SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS FOR DRYING FRUIT. 



By Claude Marais. 



In the first instance, select a piece of ground for the drying 

 field. This should be completely sheltered from the wind and 

 dust. 



APRICOTS. 



These should be >oft. yet not mushy, and free from bruises 

 Generally they are taken direct from the orchard to the cutting 



