The Canadian Horticulturist. 259 



FRUIT TRADE WITH BRITAIN. 



^HE following extract from the Commercial Bulletin, No. 4, issued by 



the Finance Department, Ottawa, will be of interest to our readers : 



The High Commissioner, in his annual report, called attention to 



the opening, in the London Market, for a large trade in canned 



goods and dry and evaporated fruits, and gives the following useful 



"Wi'*' information : 



^^ Dried and canned fruits are increasing greatly in popularity in Great Britain, 



especially during the time when fresh fruit is not available. An immense trade 



is done in apples, which are cut into rings and dried. They are sold at about 



ten cents per lb. This seems to afford an opportunity for an extensive trade. 



Apples are done up in another way in the United States, somewhat similar 

 to what are known as the Normandy Pippins ; that is, the core is taken out and 

 the fruit dried. If proper regard was paid to the preparation of goods, so as to 

 ensure their being of the finest quality, I have no doubt that a considerable 

 trade would soon develop. These are put up in boxes, and are sold at ten cents 

 per lb. There is a considerable market in the winter season for tinned apples in 

 syrup. The apples are cut into quarters and the cores taken out ; they are 

 largely used for puddings and sauces, and for similar purposes. The supply is 

 said to be in no way equal to the demand, and, in order to show that the trade 

 is a profitable one, I may say that the wholesale price for tins containing a gallon 

 is IS. 6d. There are many varieties of apples not good for keeping purposes, 

 and which will not carry well, and these would certainly be available for the 

 initiation of such a trade as that referred to. 



It is hardly necessary to speak of the apple trade which is done in barrels. 

 • It has assumed immense proportions during the last few years, and is capable of 

 indefinite extension. There is a large annual consumption of apples in this 

 country, and the seasons here are so uncertain that a good one only comes every 

 few years. Canadian apples have already established a reputation in this coun- 

 try, and bring a higher price than those from the United States. The selection 

 of the apples, and the packing, has greatly improved, but there is still room for 

 the work to be better done. 



Canned peaches are also very popular, and immense quantities are sold 

 every year. Considering the numbers that are generally produced in Canada, 

 and that so many are often wasted because of insufficient local demand, it seems 

 to me that this is a matter also which is worthy of attention in the Dominion. 

 The fruit is put up in tins with syrup, and is sold in 3-lb. tins for about 16 to 18 

 cents wholesale. There is no necessity for quick transport in this case, the goods of 

 the best quality arrive here in February, having come from California by sailing 

 ship. It is said that the maturing of the sugar imparts an excellent flavor to the 

 fruit, and that altogether the article is improved by the few months which it 

 takes to reach this country in the way I have mentioned. 



