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new process will be that of space, as no ice will be required, thus 
giving a car a capacity fully one-quarter greater than it possesses 
under the present methods. ‘This, of course, will necessitate the 
construction of new cars especially fitted up for the purpose 
designated. 
“Competent authorities state that there are each year on an 
average 20,000 cars of fruit shipped out of California, and esti- 
mating the saving on each car at 150 dollars, the neat sum of 
3,000,000 dollars is saved to the grower. 
“A feature of the sterilized atmosphere process which will 
shave quite a bearing upon its success, is that under the method, 
fruits, it is claimed, will ripen while in transit, the effeet of the 
air being at the same time to prevent, or rather in great measure 
retard, the work of decay. 
“The greatest interest was manifested in the experiments, as 
Dr. Perkins reports, not only by the commission men of New 
‘Orleans, but by all the fruit-growers who inspected the cars. 
During the short stay in that city dozens of them looked over the 
contents of the cars, and all along the line where stops were made 
inquiries were frequent as to the condition of the shipment. It is 
probable that another shipment will be made soon to Chicago, 
after some necessary changes suggested by the first trip have 
been made.” 
In addition to these papers, all noticed gave similar reports. I 
have received a number, referring to the success of the trial made, 
but the two extracts given are sufficient. 
Since returning to Victoria I have received a letter from Dr. 
Perkins, which states in reference to the foregoing—“ All arrived 
back in perfect condition, and the flowers were as fresh as when 
put in the car. The atmospheric temperature during the trip had 
a swing from 64° to 104° Fah., and the car variation was but 
5° Fah. The grapes we brought back as a test were placed in 
the open air, and the process had given them such life that they 
were in good condition six weeks after, and the few that were left 
‘dried away without decay. 
*T am now experimenting in the interest of our meat carriers, 
who desire a lower temperature than required for fruit trans- 
portation. Ican confidently say I haveit. This will increase the 
efficiency of the service, as the chambers on ship can be easily 
arranged to take the air at varying temperatures from the same 
plant.” 
He also mentioned that they were busy at the time of writing 
at the railroad workshops at Sacramento, building and developing 
ears for the new service. Mr. A. T. Hatch, the large fruit-grower 
previously referred to, has purchased a heavy interest in the com- 
pany, and is its president. 
Now, the importance of this discovery of Dr. Perkins to Vic- 
torian fruit-growers can hardly be estimated. Our fruit season is 
the opposite to that of the whole of Europe or the United States, 
