60 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



complaints and friction between traders and railway companies is a 

 revision of the classification, to bring it up to more present require- 

 ments. 



To illustrate my views with regard to the classification, I have taken a 

 summary from the book issued by the companies. Fruit and Vegetables, 

 I find, are classified under forty different headings, and I venture to 

 say there aro very few traders who can make themselves conversant 

 with the different phrases inserted in connection with the rate charge- 

 able. In order to facilitate the carriage of traffic, especially from stations 

 where no special rates are in operation, the classification should be 

 formulated on a more uniform basis, and should comprise two ordinary 

 classes under the plain heading of outdoor fruit, and market-garden 

 produce for lots over five cwt. and under two tons ; and exceptional 

 classes for lots of two tons, four tons, and six-ton loads. 



Railway companies should agree to meet in conference say half a dozen 

 practical representatives of the fruit growers and market salesmen with 

 the view of arriving at a fair and common-sense decision with regard to 

 the alteration and modification of the classification ; and it should be 

 recognised that our produce to-day is a common article of food for the 

 people, not a luxury for the well-to-do, and rich people as formerly. 



To bear out this argument, I remember reading a few years ago a state- 

 ment made by an old friend (Mr. Geo. Monro), that in the year 1860 in 

 London there were only three fruit-shops, and these were practically closed 

 nine months in the year owing to the want of produce to sell. 



Now there is just one other exception I wish to make with regard to 

 railway rates, and this is with regard to the action of a northern railway 

 company which is serving a working-class population of over one million 

 in fifteen towns alone. We cannot get this company to fall into line with 

 others in giving special rates. Although the English growers have to 

 compete in the district with countries like Holland, Germany, and 

 Belgium, who get their produce into the large shipping towns at 50 to 

 75 per cent, less than this railway company charges the English growers, 

 they refuse to modify their charges. Their excuse is that it does not 

 pay them to carry English produce unless sent in large bulk. If this 

 is so, why are other companies anxious to cater for English growers 

 at reasonable special rates, which on the average are 25 to 30 per cent, 

 less than those the company referred to charges ? 



They also retort by saying : " Get your growers to combine and send 

 in truckloads of two tons and upwards, and then see what advantage they 

 will get." Well, on working out this advantage I find on two-ton consign- 

 ments it would amount from 2s. Sd. to 2s. Id. per ton as compared with 

 the rates for a three cwt. lot of produce. 



Combination is all very well, but I say, with regard to mixed market- 

 garden produce and fruit, it is next to an impossibility, inasmuch as the 

 difference in prices would average from 50 to 100 per cent. This is 

 accounted for by variations in soil and practical knowledge of culture by 

 the different growers. 



In conclusion I would say that all the British grower asks for at the 

 hands of the different railway companies is fair play and. reasonable rates, 

 when they have to compete with practically all the nations of the world ; 



