FRUIT CULTURE IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS 393 



autumn, while some are grown in pots. The last mode of culture is not largely 

 followed, growing in pots necessitates a good deal of labour in the summer 

 months, when the grower has his hands full enough. 



Orchids are receiving consideration at the hands of some Channel Island 

 growers. Cypripedium insigne is most largely grown, but some have a fairly 

 representative collection suited to cut-flower trade. 



FRUIT CASES 



When fruit-growing for market commenced, and long afterwards, the great 

 diiKculty that faced the grower when he had his fruit ready for market was the 

 sea passage to Southampton or Weymouth, in addition to the railway journey. 

 After seeing the way in which the produce was hurled into the hold of the 

 steamer, to suppose that after such treatment the fruit could arrive at its 

 destination other than seriously blemished would be absurd. Then the railway 

 companies had a uniform charge of so much per basket of grapes, heavy or 

 light. Two shillings each was the price, and whether the basket contained 

 7 lbs. or 27 lbs., it was always 2s., with, we believe, a maximum hmit of 28 lbs. 

 It is safe to say that had these conditions continued till now, Channel Island 

 grape-growing would almost have disappeared. It was long felt that some 

 , better system was urgently required to save the situation, and ultimately Mr. 

 J. H. Parsons, of Guernsey, invented large fruit cases, wherein could be placed 

 a number of shallow baskets containing choice fruit, freshly gathered, and con- 

 veyed to London undisturbed. To this invention may safely be credited the 

 success of the Channel Island grape grower. He now places his goods in the 

 hands of the local forwarding agents in open baskets, and he knows they have 

 every possible chance of arriving in practically the same condition as he left 

 them. So good an idea naturally produced many imitations, with the result 

 that to-day there are many fruit cases of a somewhat similar type. They are, 

 however, no longer restricted to grapes, but are used for all kinds of choice 

 produce. 



FUEL 



The fuel consumed in the Islands for cultural purposes is a very serious 

 item. The grower is often called upon to pay exceedingly high prices for his 

 anthracite coal. 



This evil has grown during the last few years. As to the Welsh coal 

 prices have gone up. A few years ago it could be bought free on the quays 

 at 1 6s. 8d. to 1 8s. per ton, whereas now it occasionally runs up to 35s. and 

 even higher prices, especially in Guernsey where the local harbour dues and 

 wharfage are higher than in Jersey. In the former island the wharfage is 

 2s. 6d. per ton, which all growers consider an unfair tax. For several years 

 past the Guernsey Growers' Association have worked diligently to secure a 

 change in this matter. And though up to now they have received no actual 

 benefit, we find there is a growing consensus of opinion among the governing 



