386 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



portion of the crop was exported, the result being that the demand for Guernsey 

 grapes increased, and nearly 3 tons were exported in 1855. So, we see, 

 selection and grading were not overlooked in those days, though some growers 

 of the present foolishly treat these matters with contempt. In 1857 4 tons 

 were sent; in 1858, ^\ tons, with good prices for first-class fruit; in 1859, 

 6 tons; and in i860, 7 tons were sent, and the demand for good grapes had 

 increased. This justified the erection of more greenhouses. In 1 86 1, 9 tons, 

 and in the following year 12 tons, were shipped, with steady prices for good 

 fruit. In 1863 a fair quantity was grown, but owing to shippers and salesmen 

 having so increased, the market was occasionally glutted, and prices were conse- 

 quently less. The regulating of the market was now out of the question. It 

 was feared this state of things would diminish the value of the fruit ; so the 

 original exporter visited Paris, hoping to find a market there, but the prices 

 would not have been remunerative, and the quantities required were too insig- 

 nificant to justify the attempt. 



Former Quantities. — In 1864 the quantity sent was 12 tons, and, 

 other fruit being scarce, steady prices were obtained. In 1865 the prices were 

 not so good, good grapes selling at gd. per lb., the depreciation being attributed 

 to glutted markets. In 1866 about 16 tons were sent, good prices being 

 realised from the commencement of the season, selling at is. 6d. to 2s. per lb. 

 These prices continued till the month of August, and, owing to scarcity of 

 other good fruit, prices were maintained throughout the season. 



In 1867 the season opened well, but owing to an over-supply the prices 

 did not hold firm. In many instances good grapes, after remaining some days 

 on hand, were sold for 6d. and 8d. per lb. Mr. Crousaz here quotes a market 

 report, which states " that from the number of houses recently built and in 

 course of construction, the quantity of grapes will considerably increase and prices 

 probably fall ; and that as the English, and particularly the Scotch, are developing 

 this branch of fruit culture to a large extent, we may reasonably suppose many 

 towns will cease drawing their supplies from London." 



The total quantities exported after 1867 are not given, but referring to the 

 season 1 871 it is stated that the quantity sold by one salesman was 21 J tons, 

 independently of what was sold elsewhere. In 1872 the prices were very satis- 

 factory. Early cold-house grapes obtained is. 9d. to 2s. per lb., choice fruit 

 even higher. Grapes of inferior quality made as much as the greater part of 

 the best had done in 1871. The crop, however, was much lighter, as 216 

 houses only produced 16 j tons, whereas 200 houses the previous season pro- 

 duced 21^ tons. Since the publishing of Mr. Crousaz's book, grape culture has 

 gone ahead ; but it is now impossible to know the quantity exported, as the 

 growers nearly all consign directly to the British markets. 



Vine Borders. — The vines in the Channel Islands were formerly nearly 

 all in outside borders. Muscats and all others were treated so. Now, how- 

 ever, many are planted in inside borders. Some houses have arched walls so 

 as to allow a free passage for the roots to either inside or outside borders, 

 but the majority are still outside. When grapes were first cultivated for 

 market, and since, borders in many cases were much too deep. Then, later. 



