«q8 FRUIt FARMING 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



NOTES ON THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S 

 CONFERENCE ON FRUIT FARMING. 



This was a very important gathering, held on October 

 loth to 1 2th, igo6, and much useful information was 

 then brought out in the various papers read and dis- 

 cussed. We propose to touch on the principal points, 

 and refer our readers to the Journal of the Society, 

 Vol. 30, April, igo6, 3/6, for full details (Office, Vincent 

 Square, Westminster, S.W.). 



FOREIGN Competition.— The Lecturers again empha- 

 sised the importance of growing the best varieties in 

 quantity, careful grading and packing, and fancy box 

 packing for choice fruits, in order to compete with 

 imported fruit. The work of the Irish Department of 

 Agriculture was outlined by Mr. Harper, and his 

 recommendations are worth reading. They establish 

 a system of grading which is indicated bv letters A 

 to C, and a standard of weight as against the accepted 

 English measures— give full instructions as to gathering, 

 packing, disposal, etc. The growers, retailers, and 

 users have all benefited by the new system, and it is 

 greatly to be wished that a more uniform practice 

 could be enforced by law in our home fruit trade. 



< )ther interesting points came up in the first day's 

 meeting. Most able papers were given by Professor 

 Theobald, of Wye ("ollege, on "Insect IVsts," with 

 very full details and lists of insecticides, and Mr. F. 



