229 
exported, chiefly Bananas, were entered of the value of 2,4397. Both 
kinds, viz., the preserved fruits and the green or fresh, were shipped to 
the Cape Co olon 
the above-mentioned es are capable of being produced in much 
larger quantities. The nee of a market has deterred the farming 
al requirements. e steps, in my estimation, necessary to develop 
a fruit trade are first the preservation of the fruit either by judiciously 
drying it or by xinh itin tins. Messrs. Jameson and Co., Durban ; 
Hulett, Nonoti ; Ladds, Mooi River; and Blaker, Estcourt, have made 
a good start in that direction, and others will follow their example. 
Local men complain that the tariffs of neighbouring states militate 
seriously against the use therein of Natal preserved or green fruits, im- 
port duty being so high as to prove prohibitive. This, no doubt, is the 
case (as the question would be viewed in the light of free trade) omitting 
the consideration of the question whether the industries of these states 
do not stand in need of some such protection as is secured by a high 
import duty. The trade vili the mother country is sericusly menaced 
by the long ocean voyage, and tbe risks of damage to green fruit, 
however well it may be prepared before embarkation. In the case of 
preserved fruits, the new industry here will have to cope with the same 
industry established in other colonies and Pss for many years enjoying 
a reputation which cannot easily be set asic 
Dried fruits, unspecified, imported fron: rd United Kingdom, 80,000 
Ibs.; value 1,252/. From Bombay, rer and Madras, 195, 967 Ibs. ; 
value 612/. Mozambique, 608 lbs.; value 8/. America, United States, 
850 ]bs.; value 147. Curranis and raisins from the United Kingdom, 
183,828 lbs.; value 2,5414. From Cape Colony, 34,548 Ibs.; value 
3462. Preserved fruit from United Kingdom, unspecified, 26,378 lbs. ; 
value 6537. Calcutta, 180 lbs.; value not specified. Cape Colony, 
38 lbs. ; value 8/. Fresh fruit :—Cape Colony, quantity not specified, 
zaai 1807. Mauritius, quantity not areata. value 
mported fruit, prone dried, an dig s nearly 6, 0000, per annum, 
while lae sts to tre ot quite ‘half that sum. 
conditions TI the we papal favou rable to the development of 
Ed "life, fruit i is liable to suffer much, the only remedy for which is 
the maintenaace of the teen in the t vigorous possible condition, 
giving proper heed to the due supply of manure and moisture. Violent 
hailstorms occasionally do much damage, but as they are very local it 
rarely emu s that a district suffers; of two plantations a quarter of a 
mile apart, one may MN entirely, while the ‘other may have been 
entirely sexi of its fru 
ng the bitu ‘of a fruit trade with the mother country, or 
with the neighbouring states, it appears to me that the first object should 
ried fr uit XR may with perfect safety he placed upon 
the markets at Doc or in other colonies or states yeei et Lee be 
the same. Much experience 
e an 
necessary in the conduct of the export of fresh fruit. "Facilities pr ship 
ment are, it is true, so great now as to lessen the time the fruit requi 
to be at sea considerably below the period required fifty years 
the from the Mediterranean or the Azores. It should, however, 
not be forgotten that the latter slow passage was made by asailing vessel ` 
cold season of a temperate climate, while the modern quick passage 
