FRUIT PRESERVING GENERALLY — 3 
1901. Fruits preserved, 828,541 cwt. £801,584 
£904. —,; : 5995335» 394,776 
1901. Vegetables dried, 186,515 __,, 140,442 
is ae canned, 218,775 4, 253,612 
1904. 3 dried 5,074 ,, 8,228 
a Pee called 264,120, 294,267 
The classification of fruits preserved is not stated, 
but we may assume that bottled fruit plays a large part 
in the import; it is therefore satisfactory to see that 
both the quantity and value of imported fruits preserved 
has been diminished by almost one-half in three years, 
whilst the value of vegetables dried has dropped from 
£140,442 to £8228 in three years. On the other hand, 
however, it is important to note that the increase in value 
of vegetables canned has been £40,654 in the same time. 
The natural deduction to draw therefore from these 
figures is that fruit preserving as a home industry has 
enormously increased, but that we are hopelessly behind 
with canning vegetables. 
Truly, it is time to ‘“‘ Wake up, England!” and in this 
case we might say, ‘‘ Wake up, women of England!” 
because this is essentially a branch of work suitable in 
every way for women to do. 
One distinct advantage in bottled fruit is that it will 
keep for any length of time, if it is properly done ; indeed, 
it improves by keeping. Therefore in years of plenty, 
when there is a glut of fruit (as we look for, this year, 
1907 ), advantage shouldbe taken to bottle great quantities, 
so that it can be preserved for bad seasons. This remark 
applies both to private persons and to the trade. In 
winter we are only too glad to get bottled fruit for pies 
and puddings, as well as dessert, as it not only gives 
variety to our food, but is also most valuable from the 
point of view of health. 
