83 



(whether bottled, tinned or dried), and for any other cultivated pro- 

 ducts of a like nature. 



Each exhibit is judged on its individual merits, and medals and 

 other prizes awarded at the discretion of the Council. The Press arc 

 specially encouraged to direct attention to, and themselves to visit, 

 these Shows. The British Public quite fail to realise as yet what 

 our Colonies can send us, and the Society thus offers an opportunity 

 for the Colonies to co-operate with them in removing this ignorance, 

 and, by bringing the Colonial Fruits before the home buyer, to show 

 how the Empire could be made self-supporting. 



The Shows will, I believe, be repeated in 1907, provided the 

 interest evinced in those of 1906 is sufficient to justify their repeti- 

 tion. Otherwise they will be abandoned for a time, as poor Shows 

 of our Colonial produce give entirely erroneous notions of the 

 Empire 's greatness, resources and wealth, and it would obviously be 

 better to have no such Show than a poor one. 



Hoping to have the benefit of your assistance in this important 

 object. 



I am. etc. 



W. WILKS, 



Secretary. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR PACKING PLANTATION 



RUBBER. 



Preparation for Packing.— -The Rubber must be quite free from 

 moisture, as the slightest trace might alter its appearance during 

 transit. All heated Rubber must be kept separate, otherwise the 

 bulk will be spoilt. 



Keep the Rubber away from dust when drying. A strong light 

 is harmful. The use of paper in packing should be avoided. 



Form of Rubber. — Sheet form is now most liked. Sheets from 

 2 ft. to 3 ft. long and from 1 ft. to 2 ft. wide make a convenient size. 

 They should be as uniform as possible, so that they can be neatly 

 packed in cases each of an equal size and shape. Sheet Rubber 

 packs closer than other sorts and therefore effects a small saving in 

 freight. 



Biscuits are also much appreciated. They should be of a uniform 

 size, say 12 in. in diameter. 



Crape is liked if very pale in colour, otherwise some buyers have 

 a slight prejudice. 



Scrap should be carefully collected and graded in two or, when 

 necessary, three qualities. 



Colour. — All fine qualities must be clear. For Sheet and Biscuits 

 a rich amber colour is most desired ; some of the rather darker 

 shades are now selling quite as well as the very pale ones. 



