532 Fruit and Vegetable Trade in Aug. [sept., 1911. 



at first worth about 8s. per box of forty-eight pears, but declined during 

 the month to 35. to 35. 6d. for the same quantity. During the last 

 three weeks British Jargonelle and Calabash, the former a well-known 

 old variety, were on offer at 35. or 45. per half-bushel, according to 

 quality ; while Chalks, Hessle, and Lamas could be purchased for about 

 35. to 3s. 6d. per half-bushel. 



Greengages. — Fine samples, well graded, of Spanish origin, have 

 taken the lead in this fruit. At the beginning of the season the price 

 was 105. to 125. the half-bushel. At the end of the month the best 

 Spanish were worth 85. 6d. ; French, 55.; home-grown, 45. 6d., per 

 half-bushel. 



Plums. — Consignments of plums have largely increased as the monm 

 advanced. Early Rivers, Czars, Orleans, and Prolifics began at 45. to 

 55. 6d. per half-bushel, while towards the close of the month Monarchs 

 and Victorias arrived in abundance. Kent goods are preferred as better 

 graded than Evesham, and have been offered at as low as 25. 6d. or 

 25. per half-bushel. 



Potatoes. — Potatoes began the month at 45. 6d. to 55. per cwt., and 

 cannot be said to have altered much. Supplies are now coming more 

 freely, as corn is gathered and workmen are released for digging. 

 Edward VII. and Blackland are down to about 45. per cwt., though 

 Duke of York and Puritans are only slightly easier. When the winter 

 varieties come to be lifted in October it will be safer to predict what 

 prospects are, though the general opinion is that the drought has 

 materially affected late-planted potatoes which furnish our winter store. 

 The crop is said to be light in the North, and, if the Continent of Europe 

 has also a shortage, prices are likely to advance later on. 



Last winter and spring potatoes were exported to France because of 

 the bad crop there, and French buyers sought for the variety known 

 as King Edward VII., which is a favourite beyond the Channel. 



Onions. — Egypt has furnished us with useful onions most of the 

 month at figures between 45. to 6s. 6d. per cwt. The season now is 

 about closed. Valencia cases have not been satisfactory, and prices 

 consequently dropped for some consignments to 45. and 55. per 

 case — a low figure for these onions. An improvement set in at the 

 close of the month, the price reaching 75. Figures are gradually harden- 

 ing at this moment, and the result of the drought is pretty evident by 

 the size of the bulbs. Dutch realise 85. to Ss. 6d., and home-grown 

 85. 6d. to io5. per cwt., which is a fair price for growers. 



Peas and Beans. — The former popular vegetable is a diminishing 

 quantity. Autocrats and Yorkshire Hero are available in small quan- 

 tities at 85. to 95. per bushel, but a brisk demand exists because scarlet 

 runners are scarce, owing to the drought. Beans have consequently 

 risen in the course of four weeks from 65. to 105. per bushel (40 lb. net). 

 A few of Dutch growth realised about 55. for the same quantity. 



Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Lettuce. — Most succulent vegetables are 

 affected by the dry season, and cabbages fetch is. 6d. per dozen. Cauli- 

 flowers have failed altogether in some gardens, and fetch 35. per dozen 

 when of snow-white colour. Good lettuces are scarce. Solid-hearted 

 Cos would be worth 2s. per score, while cabbage lettuces are readily pur- 

 chased by restaurant providers for 15. a dozen — an excellent price. 



