FRUIT CULTURE IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS 385 



looked upon as profitable. Figs are still not generally liked, however, so that 

 it would probably be easy to glut the market. It certainly would not be wise 

 for a grower to gp in too largely for fig culture. Many varieties have been 

 tried, but Brown Turkey alone appears to meet with general favour. It is found 

 to be much the most reliable and productive. 



THE GRAPE 



It is safe to say that the grape introduced the Channel Islands as a fruit- 

 growing district to the English markets, and it illustrates in a striking manner 

 how pregnant with big results are sometimes those matters which appear of 

 small importance at the moment. In a little book entitled "Culture of the 

 Vine under Glass," by W. A. Crousaz, published in Guernsey in 1873, the 

 last chapter is called "Remarks on Exportation." Mr. Crousaz was really 

 the father of the fruit-growing industry as far as the Channel Islands are con- 

 cerned, for it was he who, seeing grapes fit for the London market, set about 

 surmounting the difficulties of delivering them. Had it not been for him the 

 progress of the industry would at least have been delayed years. We have 

 gathered the following facts from Mr. Crousaz's book. 



Inception of the Industry. — About 1847 a small quantity of grapes was 

 sent to Covent Garden Market. In the same year a range of houses with 

 boilers and pipes was erected as a speculation. The third season after planting 

 (1850) the crop was about five hundred pounds. But the principal exporter 

 declined to purchase, the quantity being too large, and further declared such a 

 crop could not be disposed of at any price. The only alternative was to sell in 

 the local market, but this proved a failure. So, after all, it was decided to try 

 Covent Garden. But the mail-boat's agent declined to enter these goods, as the 

 mails and passengers alone were allowed, and not cargo. The exporter deter- 

 mined that the grapes should be sent whatever the consequences might be, and 

 a boat was hired, the fruit stowed beneath the seats, and then, rowing to the 

 steam-packet, the packages of grapes were quietly handed over the side of the 

 ship and placed out of sight while the crew were busily engaged with passengers' 

 luggage and mail-bags. But each returning mail-boat brought strict orders that 

 fruit should not be shipped unless cleared through the Customs. This was 

 overcome by providing a printed form which had to be signed by the Lieutenant- 

 Governor and a magistrate of the Royal Court (fee 2S. 6d.), and when complete 

 taken to the Custom-House officials. It is disappointing to read that after so 

 much determination the season closed with a loss, and as to prices Mr. Crousaz 

 says, " arrived at Covent Garden, the fruit realised very little money, and that 

 little was a long time coming." The season 1851 yielded a heavier crop; 

 Covent Garden was again resorted to, and the same ordeal gone through, but 

 prices were not remunerative. 



In 1852 still finer crops were produced, and Covent Garden prices were 

 rather better. So, when the forced crops were disposed of and cold- house grapes 

 were ripe, growers, who hitherto had not known how to turn theirs into cash, 

 were advised to try London. Mr. Crousaz here points out that only the choicest 



2 B 



