CHAP TER 2c. 
HARDY FRUITS AND THEIR CULTURE. 
SMALL FRUITS. 
The culture of fruit in these islands has received a great 
impetus during the past ten years. Never has there been a 
higher of more correct value placed upon good and wholesome 
fruit, as a source of food, than at the present time; and 
never has it been offered to the public in such great 
abundance or of such high quality. Yet the full value of 
such fruit is not appreciated by all. Many regard it as a 
luxury only to be enjoyed on special occasions, and spend 
more money upon other and more doubtful sources of food 
and refreshment than is at all necessary. To others, 
unfortunately, it is yet a real luxury difficult to obtain. Let 
us hope the time is not far distant when the poorest may be 
able to purchase an abundant supply of really good fruit at a 
reasonable price. At present I know—from weekly and 
sometimes daily observation of the markets, and daily 
contact with the growers—that the consumer seldom pays 
less than one hundred per cent. more for garden produce than 
the producer receives. For example; yesterday, August the 
first, 1896, I saw some Rivers Early Prolific Plums offered at 
fourpence per pound; that would be at the rate of one 
pound six and eightpence per bushel of eighty pounds, for 
which the grower would receive ten or twelve shillings per 
bushel. Also English apples were offered at threepence per 
pound, or at the rate of sixteen shillings per bushel of 
sixty-four pounds, while the growers of those apples were 
» receiving five and six shillings per bushel; a difference of 
two hundred per cent ! 
