365 



Although I have given these rules in full, it is evident that 

 close adherence to them would, at ordinary shows, be impracticable, 

 and would involve an amount of time and consideration altogether 

 out of reason. In case of a close finish however, the judges will 

 find it advisable to follow these rules more closely, whilst even for a 

 cursory examination, such as necessarily takes place a few moments 

 before the opening of the exhibitions, these rules will enable the 

 judging to be done with more method than is too often brought to 

 bear in comparing exhibits one with another. 



THE OVERSEA FRUIT TRADE. 



Western Australia, on account of its particularly suitable 

 climate and its singularly favourable geographical position, and the 

 heavy planting which has taken place of late years, will, in the 

 near future, enter the fruit exporting trade with every prospect 

 of securing in the European markets a footing which will act as a 

 further incentive to fruit-growing. 



Both Albany and Fremantle, the last ports of call of fruit- 

 trading steamers, and of the mail steamers, are four days nearer the 

 large European markets than is South Australia, six days nearer 

 than Victoria, and eight or nine days nearer than either New South 

 Wales or Tasmania. 



Apart from the immense advantage of quicker delivery, that of 

 a better position in the hold of the steamer does, if past experience 

 is a criterion, always militate in favour of the last shipped fruit. 



Then, a glance at the sale prices of apples shipped from the 

 Eastern States have every year shown on an average an advantage 

 of at least one shilling a case on apples shipped from Melbourne 

 over those shipped from Hobart, and likewise of over a shilling a 

 case on apples shipped at Adelaide over those placed on board at 

 Melbourne. 



It must be remembered that West Australian apples, in addition 

 to the fact that apples from the Eastern States are on the water 

 from four to nine lays longer, are besides favoured to the extent of 

 securing the best position in the ship's hold. The bottom layers 

 naturally suffer the most so far as ventilation is concerned, and 

 Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne, and Adelaide exporters are con- 

 sequently forced to accept position in the order of the port of call. 



PACKING FRUIT FOR LONG SHIPMENT. 



Ever since the exploitation of the large oversea market has 

 been suggested as an outlet for the surplus fruit crop of America 

 or of the antipodes, shippers have been busily engaged experimenting 

 with new and effective packing materials. Some interesting experi- 

 ments from* which striking deductions can be drawn are worth 

 recording. 



" The Gazette Agricole (France) gives the report of interesting 

 experiments made to test the value of various methods used to 



