FRUIT CULTURE IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS 389 



introduction of the fruit-packing cases (referred to elsewhere). When these 

 valuable cases entered the field, the chief trouble so far as safe delivery w^as 

 concerned gradually disappeared, w^ith the result that the culture of peaches and 

 nectarines is yearly more favoured by the Channel Island grower. He has 

 plenty of sunshine, and a soil suited to the requirements of the peach except 

 that it contains no lime. (The analysis of Channel Islands soil shows but a 

 trace of lime ; it is, indeed, imported from England for building purposes.) 

 But except for the absence of lime, the Islands can grow peaches and nectarines 

 well under glass. We say "under glass," for, as a matter of fact, they are 

 very uncertain when grown in the open air. Open-air culture fails probably 

 from no other cause than that the climate is very unreliable and. varied in the 

 late winter and early spring months. It is no unusual thing to have such 

 weather at Christmas which would be welcome at Easter, and vice-versd. 

 Plant life is thus encouraged at the wrong season. Jersey, however, appears 

 to be distinctly more favourable to peach and nectarine culture in open air than 

 Guernsey. 



Early varieties are best suited for culture in these Islands ; such as are of 

 good size and highly coloured should be chosen. 



THE PEAR 



Pears have been for many years, and are still, very well grown in the 

 Channel Islands. 



This is particularly so in Jersey, where the culture has of late received much 

 more attention than in Guernsey. Formerly the variety Chaumontel was 

 extensively grown in the latter island, but now many walls that formerly were 

 devoted to pears have greenhouses against them and the pear trees have 

 disappeared. 



From Jersey, however, large quantities of good pears find their way to 

 England. A fairly large collection is cultivated, but such sorts as Williams', 

 Chaumontel, and Doyennd du Cornice, are those usually grown for market. 

 The production of these fruits will probably increase as time goes on, for 

 without doubt that excellent variety. Doyenne du Cornice, can be given all it 

 requires in the Channel Islands. 



THE TOMATO 



The tomato has played certainly the most important part in the develop- 

 ment of fruit culture in the Channel Islands. It did not initiate the industry, 

 it is true, but when growers started with the object in view of growing grapes 

 only for the English markets, they knew they would have to wait two or three 

 years before they could hope for any material benefit from their outlay. 



Potatoes were planted on the floors of the houses, and frequently gave very 

 satisfactory returns — from is. to 2s. 6d. per lb. being realised. But this crop 

 had one great drawback — the houses being unheated, scarcely any provision 

 could be made against frost, which frequently destroyed the plants. Some 



