420 Fruit and Vegetable Production. [sept., 



is extremely varied according to the nature of the soil 

 and climate. In the valley of the Saone, where the soil 

 is light and permeable, market gardening is extensively 

 carried on. The Cote which gives its name to the De- 

 partment is a narrow stretch of country mostly planted 

 with the vine from which the renowned wines of Burgundy 

 are derived, but a portion of the district is devoted to fruit 

 growing. Cherries, peaches, and currants are cultivated on 

 an extensive scale. The area under potatoes is estimated 

 at about 55,000 acres and hops occupy about 2,300 acres. 

 Local breweries absorb about one-fiftieth of the production, 

 the remainder being exported to various centres in France 

 and to London. The hops of Burgundy form a third of 

 the French production and are held to be of first-rate quality. 



Fruit production in this Department gives rise to an ex- 

 tensive trade with Paris and England, the fruit exported 

 being chiefly cherries, black currants and raspberries. An 

 improvement is said to be noticeable in the varieties of cherry 

 selected for cultivation. Peaches and apricots are mostly 

 consumed locally. Peas," haricot beans, asparagus and 

 onions are grown on a large scale. 



Oise. — In several districts vegetable growing, chiefly dried 

 haricot beans, French beans and artichokes, is conducted 

 on an extensive scale for the supply of the Paris market and 

 for export to England. About 2,000 cwts. of cherries, known 

 as " Guignes," are sent to Paris and England in June and 

 July, and about 500 cwts. of black currants. Peas are also 

 exported to some extent. 



Seine- -et-Marne. — Near Coulommiers and beyond Crecy on 

 the slopes of the hills bordering the valley of the Grand 

 Morin, fruit growing is extensively carried on ; in good years 

 in this district the sales of the blue plum to agents who 

 forward to Paris and to England amount to 4,000 cwts. 

 of other varieties some 1,000 cwts., of the Reine Claude 

 1,400 cwts., of small early peas 1,000 cwts. and some 800 to 

 1,000 cwts. of currants and raspberries. The fruit is packed 

 in round baskets containing about 22 lbs. net. In 1902 some 

 of the growers, in view of the large profits reaped by the 

 middlemen, formed an association and as the result of this co- 

 operative movement succeeded in obtaining double the amount 



