422 



Fruit and Vegetable Production. [sept., 



As a productive area South Holland is the most important, 

 the chief centre being the " Westland," where the soil is 

 mostly sand and gravel and very suitable for market gar- 

 dening. Cucumbers are largely raised, but it is only in April 

 that large supplies are available for export. In February 

 and March the demand from Germany causes buyers to resort 

 to the English market, where a supply is available earlier. 

 Some growers have adopted the English method of forcing, 

 and in the last few years a considerable number of glass- 

 houses have been built. Almost every other kind of vegetable 

 is also grown. 



The fruit grown consists of currants, plums, apples and 

 grapes, the latter on an extensive scale. The currants are little 

 suited for the table, but are bought by jam makers. Plums 

 grow along the edge of the ditches and between the currant 

 bushes, a well-known yellow kind being picked in an unripe 

 condition for export to England. Fruit culture, however, 

 in many parts of Holland is comparatively unimportant owing 

 to a lack of knowledge, but more attention is now being 

 devoted to the subject, especially as regards growing under 

 glass, and the cultivation of currants. 



In the province of Zealand the fruit crops consist principally 

 of cherries, apples, pears and currants. Large quantities 

 of plums are also grown, which find their way to the English 

 market. At one time about 15 varieties of apples were 

 grown, but the number has recently been reduced, and the 

 principal kinds now raised are the Brabant Bellefleur, Gold 

 Reinette and Court pendu. The pear crop is small as com- 

 pared with that of apples. 



Owing to the lack of quick communication between the 

 fruit-growing districts and the principal shipping ports, the 

 cultivation of produce unable to stand a long journey is not 

 extensive and is limited to local needs. Notwithstanding 

 the direct service from Flushing, the bulk of the products 

 are forwarded from Rotterdam, whence access is obtained 

 to various English ports, whereas the Flushing route only 

 takes produce to London. 



In North Brabant vegetables are extensively grown, but 

 the standard of cultivation is not particularly high. They 

 are principally grown in the open air, frames and hothouses 



