64 The Worthing Fruit Growing Industry. [Apr.^ 



rooms and carnations are also specialised in by a few firms with 

 much more than a local reputation. Early beans and forced 

 strawberries are also important crops, although Worthing no 

 longer maintains its reputation for the latter. 



Worthing tomatoes have a great reputation, but Covent Garden 

 regards Worthing grapes as of more importance, and the early 

 Hambros, which have long been a speciality of the district, are 

 eagerly sought after by the commission salesmen for distribution 

 all over the country. In this domain Worthing has advantages 

 which even now are not fully realised; climatic conditions rule 

 the Lea Valley right out, while both the Guernsey and Belgian 

 growers have transport difficulties to contend with, which in the 

 case of grapes are greater than with tomatoes. While it is true 

 that lightness of crop in the very early houses makes their pro- 

 duction a doubtful economic success, it is nevertheless a fact that 

 both Hambros and Muscats grown for marketing before the out- 

 door strawberry crop, come less into competition with supplies 

 from other centres, and therefore realise more satisfactory returns 

 than produce marketed later in the year. It is by taking advan- 

 tage of their favourable climate thnt the Worthing men can con- 

 tinue to achieve success. Early tomatoes, beans, Hambros, 

 Muscats and cucumbers will enable them to compete wnth other 

 sources of supply, and. fortunately, nothing can take away from 

 them their climatic advantage. 



Cucumbers for Export. — Before the war Worthing did a con- 

 siderable export business with Germany in winter cucumbers, and, 

 practically had a monopoly of the business, as the cost of carriage 

 beat the Guernseymen. who had to give up growing cucumbers, 

 while the Lea Valley is too cold to compete with Worthing during 

 the winter. 



Recent Developments. — In 1921 there has been a develop- 

 ment of building in the district, and, as the construction of the 

 new places is on the lines of the most successful Lea Valley 

 establishments, it will be interesting to watch the progress made 

 in these up-to-date nurseries. 



